Spiritual Trainer

When I was a young boy, my dad would take me to Utah Jazz basketball games. I remember getting there early and sitting in the stands waiting for the game to start. I'd see players doing lay-up drills, practicing their shooting, the regular warmups. Then I'd see some players sitting or laying on the floor in what looked like uncomfortable positions, and other guys pushing the players' arms and legs in weird ways. My dad told me they were trainers helping the players be ready for the game. But it sure didn't look fun to me. 

So, what do basketball trainers do? I mean, besides pushing players' arms and legs in weird ways. I got curious the other day and looked up what the responsibilities of a basketball trainer were. I won't go into full detail, but here's the basic gist of what I found: 

Trainers give important one on one time to each player. Why is this important? Because we're not all the same. Each player has a different training program that focuses on his individual strengths and weaknesses. It's like Albert Einstein is quoted to have said - "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." A trainer gives players different tools to help them go from where they are to where they need to be. A trainer focuses on prevention by assigning and helping with stretching, exercise routines, strategies, and proper technique. He makes sure the player is wearing the proper shoes, has a safe court surface to play on, gets the proper nutrition, and helps with the player's overall physical, mental and psychological health. When a player gets injured, the trainer helps with rehabilitation, with tools and exercises that gradually bring the player back to their full physical and mental ability on the court. But you know what the real kicker is? The player has to actually follow the program the trainer gives him, otherwise it doesn't do him any good. 

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that we have our own personal trainer on our journey through mortality. Our trainer is the Holy Ghost. He gives us important one on one time that focuses on our specific individual needs. We are promised that we can have Him always with us so long as we heed His promptings. He warns us of danger, gives us inspiration, helps us choose right from wrong. If I sat and thought long enough, there are many, many other ways the Holy Ghost is like a basketball trainer. And of course, just like a trainer, listening to the Holy Ghost and following His promptings is imperative, otherwise it does you no good. 

What tools does the Holy Ghost give you? What experiences have you had with your spiritual trainer that have left a mark on your life?

~Brad Hill