Games

JOHN L. MOTHERSHEAD

Much of the pleasure of playing a game is dependent on the proficiency of the player. Young people therefore strive for skill in games, that their enjoyment may be as great as possible. As Christian Scientists, they are always interested in proving the fact that all things are mental; and when they are playing games, they have an opportunity to develop themselves mentally, as well as to amuse them selves. Courage, strength, skill, and control are all mental qualities, and they should be definitely worked for by one who wishes to excel. There are also certain erroneous beliefs over which one must obtain the mastery, such as fear and timidity.

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," has said (p. 199): "The feats of the gymnast prove that latent mental fears are subdued by him. The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible. Exceptions only confirm this rule, proving that failure is occasioned by a too feeble faith." It follows that whatever the game, the need is present for the overcoming of fear through the upbuilding of faith and spiritual understanding. Fear that one will not be at his best hampers his efforts by creating tension; while faith in God cancels fear, creates peace in thought, and so relaxes his muscles, which are spoken of by Mrs. Eddy as "thought forces" (ibid., p. 199). An athlete knows that perfect relaxation is requisite for any outstanding athletic performance.

Using right thinking to improve his ability does not mean that the young Christian Scientist should play his games in a long-faced, laborious manner. This would defeat their purpose, as they are organized primarily for the expression of freedom and happiness. But he will find that in order to express right qualities of thought he must learn how to overcome mortal mind's suggestions. He must quickly deny any argument of inability, or overresponsibility for his team, or any other error which may assail him.

A Christian Scientist will realize that man is free from any egotism. For example, a golfer playing in a tournament kept in his thought the sense of humility which he obtained from this statement in our textbook (p. 514): "Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness." Humility is proof against the suggestion of egotism. We may all seem subject to little bursts of egotism when we make a good shot or a particularly good play. This temptation of egotism is destroyed by humility.

A Scientist who enjoyed playing billiards once told a practitioner that he believed he was at a disadvantage in his games because he did not stoop to wishing that his opponent would miss his shot, while his opponent, not knowing better, may have had no such scruple. However, he was relieved when the practitioner assured him that false suggestion has no power because of divine Mind's omnipotence.

With the proper playing of games comes joyous effort, without tension of thought but with a full-hearted striving. Paul, who doubtless knew well the games of his day, says in his first letter to the Corinthians: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." Paul was correct; for the athlete has to learn self-denial, self-restraint, and temperance in all things. He has to learn devotion of thought and effort while playing games, even though they be minor affairs of life. He has to learn the joy of sustained effort. His desire is not to beat someone but, rather, to bring out the very best he has to give; and the association with his fellows in a common interest helps him to learn the way of mutual expression rather than competition.

The Christian Scientist who is an athlete realizes that God, Mind, is with him in play as in work. This gives him an ever increasing love for God, as the ever present companion and supreme Friend of men.

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