Black 16-19

In this section we have the beginnings of a romance between Thomas and Raychelle, which is cute, but what I find most striking here is Thomas's encounter with Teelah. If you are like me, when you read this you want to shake Thomas. You want to make him see that Teelah is so clearly evil, that his words are cleverly designed to confuse. Why would you choose his lies over the joy a beauty of the black forest? But then I get introspective. Don't we do that all the time? We know what is right. It is obvious, but we choose a different path. Teelah says, "They follow a God who demands their allegiance and robs them of their freedom. Forbidden? Who has the right to forbid?" This sounds all too familiar. I think the deceiver has put this argument into the minds of many. But here's the flaw that Thomas doesn't see. Elyon does not demand their allegiance. Elyon loves them with a depth we cannot fathom. he desires for them to love him and in being filled with his love to reflect that in their lives. Their is no demand. He gives endlessly and loves faithfully. But they are always allowed to choose. As we are today. And so many follow to crooked finger of Teelah into the forest.