No Mental Illness
Today one in ten is expected to spend some time in a mental institution. Half of all hospital beds are filled with mental patients. Why? Once again the answer is that laws are being broken — in this case laws of mental health.
There is a physical basis for a number of mental problems. We have already seen how such physical problems will be taken care of. Also, a number of mental problems are caused by the evil influences of Satan and his demons. In tomorrow's world this factor in mental illness will be removed by removing Satan and his evil helpers (Rev. 20:1-3).
Further, many worries, fears, frustrations, tensions, etc., which lead to emotional disturbances and mental problems could all be solved if people understood the purpose of life and applied themselves to getting in line with it. In tomorrow's world everyone will know the purpose and meaning of life for "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9).
Only God's Holy Spirit can generate a "sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7). Without it, a man cannot really be mentally whole. The human mind is truly sound only when it has God's Spirit added to it. In tomorrow's world, it will be freely available to all (Ezek. 36:25-26; Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28). When that happens, mental health problems will disappear!
With physical and mental health assured, the sports, games and recreational activities of tomorrow's world are a sheer joy to think about.
Physical Education and Sports
How can we know there will be sports, games and physical activity for children and adults in tomorrow's world? The answer is simple. First, we already know that man's physical makeup will be the same as it is today. And second, we know that the mind and body are closely related.
In the last few years knowledge has become available to demonstrate that coordination and the ability to perform certain physical skills are important — not only to intellectual performance but also to balance, enjoyment, learning to work with others and leading a full life. So in tomorrow's world, games and activities that are wholesome and helpful to development will be used.
Everyone ought to know that because of man's makeup, movement and activity are essential for proper development. Yet, unfortunately, too many in this age do not seem to have this realization. Many educators today tend to regard physical activity as a frill rather than a basic human need.
The result of this attitude is that many schools have an inadequate physical education program from the standpoint of the overall student body. A school may have thousands of students, but usually the only ones who are receiving rigorous systematic training are the few gifted athletes who are fighting for the glory of school and coach. But common sense should tell us that the least exercised are the ones who need it most.
Then, many give up active participation in sports and games entirely when they become adults. They would rather pay to watch others play.
Extremes Avoided
And the athletes? They exercise and develop their bodies — but often not in a balanced fashion. They tend to spend far too much time in sports activities to the neglect of other types of education and training. Yet when their school or professional days are over, these same athletes too often forget conditioning entirely and become terrible physical specimens.
And then there is the competition of today's sports and games. Needless to say, it is fierce. There are several reasons: Huge sums of money are often involved. Then there is the matter of glory and vanity — being "the greatest" no matter what ideals are sacrificed. And finally, today's spectators like their sports to be violent and bloody.
These wrong principles all need to be changed — and in tomorrow's work they will be changed.
However, this does NOT mean that the FRIENDLY struggle between two men or teams on the athletic court is wrong Far from it. It is rather the underlying motive — the spirit of competition —which will be altered. Because the friendly contest between two teams on the athletic court is certainly one of the best ways to develop courage, desire, perseverance and determination — characteristics of critical importance for a successful human life.
Children should enter school with healthy bodies and proper attitudes toward physical activity — passed on by the parents. Once in elementary school, systematic physical training should begin and continue all the way through college. Physical education on the average should probably consist of about one hour a day of formal training, which would include those activities that are appropriate for a child's particular age group. This is above and beyond the normal recreational activities of the family.
It is very important that the teacher set the proper example. Today, coaches and teachers often smoke and are overweight and out of condition. Many are more concerned with theory and methods than with actual doing. They are unexcited about rolling up their sleeves and actually getting involved with real physical improvement of children.
Though the emphasis should first of all be on physical education training for ALL the students, this does not mean that the athletically gifted should be neglected. After all students have been systematically trained, those with special talents should be encouraged to develop their abilities. Successful athletes should receive appropriate rewards and recognition. Success in any field should be worthy of recognition and sports are no exception.
Total Sport Accent Wrong
Children should not be forced into sports competition, however. Today many children are pressured into competition by parents who try to make their children extensions of their own egos.
Many arguments have been advanced for "little league" sports. But the plain fact is that they often do more harm than good. Parents get so emotionally involved that they scream at the officials and at their own children. And the youngsters often walk away from a game crying out of frustration and disappointment. Some of these sports also have a high risk of serious bodily injury.
Intense competition for growing children can be bad because it produces muscular and emotional tensions that are not relieved by the game itself. It is especially bad when parental goading causes a child to push beyond his limits. This lays a child open to injury. Under these conditions, the child is playing under tension before the game even begins. Sports activity for children should be designed to build confidence, not tear it down.
Children grow at different rates, and a young child should improve without always comparing his performance with another. Then, after about twelve, competition could be encouraged when it buds spontaneously.
All these important factors will be considered in the physical education and sports programs of tomorrow's world.
Sports in Balance
In the future, the three annual Festival seasons will be high points in the year. These times will be special in many ways. Though the Bible says nothing directly about it, there seems to be no reason why there could not be special tournaments at these times to add to the enjoyment and excitement of these festive occasions.
And such tournaments would not need to be restricted only to those in the prime of life. Separate competitions and prizes could be awarded for those in different age groups. Naturally, those games for older people would need to be considerably less active.
Speaking of tomorrow's world the Bible says: "There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof" (Zech. 8:4-5).
People will age in tomorrow's world, and when they become very old, they will be a little slower in getting around. But this does not mean that they will be sickly and in pain and suffering. They will still be able to walk about and enjoy life. Until quite late in life the elderly will be able to enjoy hiking, swimming, tennis, golf, volleyball and other activities which might seem strenuous for older people by today's standards.
We personally know a number of men in their 70's today who still play a fine game of tennis. There is even a tournament bracket at Wimbledon for those 70 and older. Obviously, one doesn't take up a new, vigorous sport at age 70, but simply continues an activity developed in youth.
Today many older people don't know that they are allowing their bodies to atrophy and deteriorate more rapidly than necessary through lack of movement. In tomorrow's world, all of the elderly, even if not inclined toward more active sports, will certainly understand that they should at least walk regularly and do certain minimal activities that help maintain flexibility and strength.
As for the type of games which might be played, again the Bible does not give particulars. It does, however, give principles. We know that sports and games will be played "with your might" (Eccl. 9:10). We also know that no sport will be allowed which is so violent and rough that there is a high risk of bodily injury. But don't think that athletic activities will be dull and spiritless. There will be plenty of excitement and challenge for young people. Further, the emphasis in games will be on doing your best, in competing with yourself (which is what overcoming is), rather than concentrating on the defeat of the other team. Track and field events, swimming, golf and tennis are examples of sports based on these principles, and many more could be created. Many present-day sports could be made more wholesome and interesting by modifying the rules.
A big problem with sports today involves the spectators. Spectators need to be trained how to view a sport. They should know the subtleties of the game they are watching so they can enjoy the strategy of the game more and appreciate it when good moves are made and real skill is displayed. One of the reasons for overemphasis on winning is that people often despise and refuse to support a loser. Spectators should not be at games to see blood and violence, to "boo" and harass the officials, and to stir up feelings of strife and the wrong kind of competition. Their attitude should be to encourage and inspire those playing to greater heights of achievement.
Other Recreational Activities
Sports are not the only means of exercise. Take the dance, for instance. Some types of dancing can be as physically demanding as many types of sports. Dancing doesn't have to be just an excuse for indulging in various thoughts and actions related to sex. As you will see below, the Bible specifically says there will be dancing in tomorrow's world.
And all recreation doesn't need to be in the form of physical exercise. "Recreation" means to restore, to refresh, to renew. This can often be accomplished by activities that are simply diversions from the regular routine.
Indoor games with the family, singing and playing instruments with friends, laughing, telling jokes and just plain talking — these can all be recreational and refreshing. God says that out of tomorrow's cities "shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry" (Jer. 30:19). Television has killed many such wholesome activities today.
And what about painting, gardening, photography, arts, crafts, models, etc.? In tomorrow's world people will have sufficient leisure time for such recreational activities. Horseback riding, bowling, fishing, hiking, skating — the list is virtually endless — and in tomorrow's world healthy, happy, prosperous people living "the good life" will enjoy them all to the full.
Here is how the Bible describes it: "Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow" (Jer. 31:12-13).