I do not go to a lot of movies, but when a good one comes along, especially if it is based on a true story, I am there!
Soul Surfer, starring Anna Sophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton, portrays a young 12 year-old girl who is attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii with her best friend and friend’s father. During the attack Hamilton loses her arm. While recovering in the hospital, Hamilton learns she narrowly escaped death. The shark’s bite just missed severing a major artery that could have ended her life.
The attack changes Bethany Hamilton’s life both physically and spiritually. Prior to the attack, she was consumed with surfing and excelled in it. She received sponsorship money due to her winning record and opted out of a mission trip with her youth group to practice for an upcoming competition. The drive to win was put into a different perspective after the attack.
Three messages were clearly communicated through the movie.
Character: Hamilton displays it especially after the shark attack. She sticks to convictions of keeping Jesus first, seeking others interests before her own, and even when it is in the face of other competitive surfers.
Love for Others: Hamilton displayed her love for others by going on a short-term missions trip to Thailand to help those recovering from the Tsunami that hit that country. During her time there, she compassionately and gently helps a little boy who was afraid to swim in the ocean because of the devastation he experienced. Hamilton could relate as she had to overcome venturing back into the ocean to surf after being attacked by a shark. She lives out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ”Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
Perseverance Through Adversity: Hamilton is confronted with a new way of life without the use of her arm. From the practical aspects of life in getting dressed, feeding herself, and learning how to surf again she does not give up.
