Total Transformation

After 2 by Joy Ohagwu is a novel about transformation, both spiritual and physical. It is the second in the series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Joy Ohagwu shows that no matter what we go through in life, God is always alongside us. We “can either see your situation through eyes of faith or through a heart of desperation.” Blossom is a Christian but takes her eyes off God after receiving some upsetting news. The consequences could have been disastrous but God never takes His eyes off Blossom. God can use all situations for good and for growth.

In Blossom’s potentially devastating moment she prays but she also bargains with God. The reader feels empathy for Blossom, as I am sure many of us have done the same. As a Christian we need to realise that we do not need to bargain with God as He always wants the best for us.

In After 2 Joy Ohagwu shows how man looks at the outward appearance, as Blossom states “the first thing people saw about me was fat.” Fortunately God looks at our hearts. If our hearts are in the right place, then we are beautiful to God.

The novel demonstrates that when God is all we have, then we have all we need. In all situations and circumstances it is important to fix our eyes on God. As Pastor Brian says “it’s the things that feel tough that help us grow.” If life is smooth then we can often push God into the background but when life is tough, we need to face all our problems on our knees.

The story shows that great wealth does not equal a lack of problems. We can have all the money in the world but be held prisoner by a past traumatic event. God can use a near tragedy to free one from the prison of the past, if we just listen to God and obey His promptings.

I enjoyed After 2, it is a novel very much grounded in faith in God. Joy Ohagwu shows how important it is to always stay focussed on Jesus. Becoming a Christian is relatively easy, but staying a Christian with all of life’s temptations and problems is far harder.

JULIA WILSON