Chillin’ With Steven Seagull: A Reflection

I recently saw the new movie The Shallows. It is a film about a 20-something medical student named Nancy. In the film, Nancy travels down to Mexico to a beach where her family said her mother came when she was first pregnant with her.

Since her mother has recently passed away, Nancy has lost the drive to finish medical school, much to the disappointment of her father. Yet, parental approval is not what she is looking for. Nancy is longing, with the aide of her surfboard and the waves, to find peace and resolution over her mother’s passing by simply surfing. Little does she know however, that a shark is lurking beneath those waters, just waiting for her.

I thought this was a decent film that showed the drive and perseverance that are necessary to overcome trials and storms in life. I also liked, how in the film, they portrayed the necessity of having a friend to stand by your side in any storm.

The friend to whom I am referring is a seagull whom Nancy calls, “Steven Seagull.” While Nancy is stranded on a rock, waiting to be rescued and watching as those who attempt to save her are killed by a shark, “Steven Seagull” stands loyally by her side. While they don’t have much in common and they can’t even understand each other, they simply abide in the fact that, at least momentarily, they are not alone.

As many of you already know, I have been working on a song for about the past two weeks with a friend here in Fort Collins. While the process has been good and the work has been fruitful, it has not always been easy working together. Like in any friendship, personal disagreements and misunderstandings have popped up, wanting to destroy all the good, just like that vicious shark.

And yet, just like “Steven Seagull,” my songwriting companion Jake and I have weathered the storms of disagreement and creativity to create something truly grand. Not because of its popularity, but because through its brokeness, it has become worship, to a God who can “get us through” anything we may face in this life.

While the song we’ve been working on may not be complete yet, I will leave you with this. Don’t try to face storms on your own! Don’t try to do things alone. We always need each other, sooner or later, and above all else, we need Jesus!

Oh, and if you have a friend or relative who drives you crazy, try your best to stick with them and surrender the rest to God. You never know what good might come from one act of trust and relentless faith.

Until Next Time,

Jacobo