Lessons I learned at the state championship

Last winter, my high school basketball team was fortunate enough to make it to the state finals. Although I’d had months of sports practice, I knew I really had years of preparation for this moment because of the lessons I’d learned in Christian Science. These lessons had prepared me mentally and spiritually.  

Just before the finals, I was talking to my dad about how to apply what I’d been learning about Christian Science to this game. There’s an idea in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy that I have loved and put into practice over my years of playing basketball. The section where it falls is called “Scientific translation of mortal mind” (see pp. 115–116). There is spiritual meaning to this that I’m still learning about, but the part that’s helped me so far is the three headings underneath, which are physical, moral, and spiritual. These show a progression of our thoughts away from negative traits (a mortal way of looking at things) to holy, spiritual ways of thinking. I’ve learned that by praying to God, and learning about my relation to Him, I can better understand what it means to think spiritually. But I’ve also put these categories into practice in terms of how I think about playing basketball. 

My team and I have made progress in basketball over the years, leading us to more consciously express spiritual qualities.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

TeenConnect: Your Healings
My strong foundation
TeenConnect: Your Healings
Swimming freely
TeenConnect: Your Healings
Healing on the school wilderness trip
TeenConnect: Your Healings
Prayer during a biathlon
TeenConnect: Your Healings
No more test anxiety
TeenConnect: Your Healings
Healing after a sexual assault
TeenConnect: Your Healings
The perfect fit
TeenConnect: Your Healings
How can I feel motivated?
TeenConnect: Your Healings
God gives us everything we need
TeenConnect: Your Healings
When my best friend spread rumors about me
TeenConnect: Your Healings
When I wasn’t healed right away
TeenConnect: Your Healings
Stressed about AP tests?
TeenConnect: Your Healings
I stopped worrying about my summer plans
TeenConnect: Your Healings
Trusting God with track season
TeenConnect: Your Healings
What comes next?
TeenConnect: Your Healings
What’s my motive?
TeenConnect: Your Healings
My healing was complete
TeenConnect: Your Healings
A week full of healing
TeenConnect: Your Healings
When I trusted God, I was healed

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit