Relational Spirituality

The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez. It portrays the real-life story of Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.) and a homeless schizophrenic, Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx). A Juilliard dropout, Ayers has landed on the streets, his belongings reduced to a shopping cart of trash.

One day, Lopez notices this homeless man playing a two-stringed violin; sensing a story, he stops to learn more. Ayers's mention of Juilliard intrigues the newspaperman. Lopez begins to spend time with Ayers, and the two gradually develop a friendship.

Over the course of The Soloist, Lopez helps Ayers reconnect with his music. In doing so, he discovers that helping someone struggling with severe mental illness is not an easy task. At times Ayers is violent. The men experience both setbacks and triumphs. Lopez also learns some of the complex challenges involved in mental illness and homelessness.

By the end of the movie, Lopez has come to realize that what Ayers needs most is not material, but relational and spiritual--better living conditions, yes, but more importantly, a friend. In the end, The Soloist is the story of how one man sets out to help his homeless brother and ultimately learns from him the true nature of grace and love.

 

Reflections to Consider

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Relational Publications

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Relational Audio & Video

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Publications

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Relational Music

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Music

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Relational Reflection

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Eat This Book, Eugene Peterson +

    Eugene Peterson’s book, Eat This Book gets its name from Revelation 10:9-10 when John asks for the scroll containing God’s Read More
  • Interview with Eugene Peterson +

    On March 6, 2011, Eugene Peterson was interviewed on NPR concerning his new memoir, Pastor. In the book, Peterson described Read More
  • God is Personal: Eugene Peterson on prayer +

    The following is from Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight on Jesus and Orthdox faith in the 21st century. There is a Read More
  • The Working Pastor-Eugene Peterson +

    Eugene Peterson spends a few minutes discussing the importance of the pastor in communicating the gospel. He asks "How does Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Difficult People to Love +

    Loving others is not easy, Read More
  • The Surprise of His Love: Psalm 90 +

    Surprise us with love at daybreak; Read More
  • Does God Control Everything?: Tim Keller sermon +

    Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, has an insightful discussion about free will, pre-destination and God's omnipotence, Read More
  • Christ In Everything +

    Do we care about each other as much as Christ does? Am I willing to love others, and sacrifice my Read More
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