I wonder
what life would be like,
if things were black and white.
The path to choose would always be clear -
whether to go or whether to stay
turn left, turn right
don't go there; it has no light.
The right thing to say would always be near,
if this life was black and white.
Grey issues no more
would creep through the door;
Confusion no longer trouble my sleep.
My days would be peaceful,
free of remorse
my nights content and untroubled.
Yet perhaps we are meant
to live and to learn

[This essay contains massive spoilers from Red, middle novel of Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy. DO NOT read if you haven’t read the book.]

When I first read Red, I thought it was really good, but found the character Justin confusing. His teachings of peace with the Scabs seemed heretical, while I sensed hypocrisy in the Great Romance.

But one scene changed that. It was the closest I’ve ever come to unity with a fictional character. My eyes sprang ahead…