Article August 26, 1967 Issue

Success in Sports

J. THOMAS BLACK

Every athlete wants to succeed. That is only natural, because success means that he has reached his goal and things have ended happily. But to succeed, he needs to know what his goal is and then stick to it.

There appears to be some confusion these days about what the purpose of competitive sports really is. Some say that it is to win or to get a certain score. But this sounds a little hollow. Others say that it is simply to have a good time and get some exercise. Yet this sounds rather frivolous. We hear that the purpose is to play a good, hard, clean game with no thought about the score. However, this may sound too vague and idealistic. Some say that it is to make money. And this sounds pretty cold. Still others hold that it is to impress someone or to prove to ourselves that we can take it. This sounds somewhat selfish.

Considering all of these probable goals, it is no wonder that athletes and spectators alike ask what the purpose of competitive athletics really is. Christian Science explains this purpose very simply. It is to express God. Paul said, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."^{I Cor. 10:31;} Those participating in sports can bring attention and credit to God by expressing such spiritual qualities as intelligence, fearlessness, strength, joy, truthfulness, love. These in turn supply the athlete with stamina, agility, poise, control, accuracy, and many other qualities necessary to success.