"The Soloist" by Steve Lopez. That is my most recent book that I finished. It was definitely one that I could not put down. And it made me question what I believe about mental illness.
Think about people you've walked by or driven by that seem crazy out of their minds. The woman with the shopping cart that is talking to someone "next" to her, only nobody is there. The man who is speaking to an "audience" of street signs and empty buildings. What happens to cause someone to transform from vibrant, functioning individual to living in their own world, literally? Is it really a chemical or biological issue? Or could there be something more?
Steve Lopez examines these questions as well as his own pre-conceived ideas about mental illness in "The Soloist". I have not seen the movie yet but I do plan on renting it soon. Books allow you to use your own imagination and thought. For me, sometimes seeing the movie can give me a better understanding of certain points the author was trying to convey. Now mind you, it doesn't always work out like that but I think in this case, it will bring the story to life for me.
I admit it. If I see someone that looks to be a little on the crazy or weird side, I shun them. I stay as far away as possible. I do that out of fear as I'm sure others do too. It's one thing to have them come to a church or mission setting, or meet them in a treatment center, as those tend to provide realtively "safer" environments. But how about meeting them where they are? On the street, under a bridge, in the dumpster or the dark parts of the alley? Would you do it? Would you do that if it was a family member or a close friend? Would you go there?
Jesus did. He went to where the people are. He didn't care what people thought. He didn't let the walls bind or keep Him from reaching out to the lost, broken, hurting or out-of-their-minds people. He went. He just went.
Why can't I do that? I ask myself that all of the time. But it's not a question of can't, it's a question of my will. Why won't I do that? Why don't I do that? There are so many people out there like "The Soloist" who just need someone to care and be patient to care all the way through. They don't even have to be someone with mental illness. It could be a neighbor, a co-worker, the checkout person at your grocery store, or even the driver that cut you off in rush hour traffic today. Why don't we all do that? Even if you don't believe in Jesus, that should just be one human caring for another.
Food for thought.....and action.
Until next time,
RSPS Sunny
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