SECOND SUNDAY, although set in the 1970s, reflects today’s church and as a result, intentionally or non-intentionally shows us how careful we must be in the choices we make be it for a ‘Shepherd’ to lead the flock or the lover we desire to spend the rest of our lives with. As has been aptly summarized by Mrs. Bowen: “God don’t play and if He is for you, can’t nobody even think about standing against you.” In every section of the novel, in every character portrayed, the reader recognizes that God’s got your back as long as you seek His face.

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty….”{1Cor1:26-27}. This verse aptly describes the use of the characters in the first section of this novel. As the novel begins the women of the church are considered by some as less than God has created them to be - the helpmeet. But for the women who know their God and what His heart desires, they set out to see that His will be done and that no wolf in sheep’s clothing takes over the running of the congregation inevitably leading them astray. They look to one who in the eyes of the world is not mighty, not noble, but even though she may not know it, is called- called to make a change.

Sheba Cochran is the Rahab of Second Sunday. Just as Rahab saw that the spies were men of God and hid them from the ruler of the city as seen in Joshua Chapter 2, Sheba uses her discerning spirit to separate the sheep from the wolves. In doing so she is rewarded bountifully. As God honored Ruth’s decision in following Naomi, so to did he honor Sheba’s decision in following Him. Sheba’s character is rich, and she portrays a woman whose heart follows hard after God and who knows it is only He who can supply her needs according to His riches in glory.

George Wilson is a man carrying a past that propelled him into his future. A man who tried to run from God but like Jonah ended up running back to Him. This man of God shows that God glories in His creation. A mighty man of God, a warrior, one who knows how to honor His heavenly Father and to shepherd his congregation as the Lord shepherds His sheep. His character is like none other, he shows that in a man of God there are weaknesses, they are truths, they are desires, even though you are in the position of leader. No pretense necessary, “you still the man,” but now the man with an intense desire to follow God and allow Him to work His purpose out in your life.

Jesus often tells us of our need to forgive and the rewards that are reaped when we obey His command. He also admonishes us that when our enemy tries to destroy us that we show love, for by doing so we will place coals of fire on his head. Mozelle characterizes this in her relationship with her husband. Life certainly isn’t easy but with patience and longsuffering she endures. When the “angry surge rolled,” Mozelle holds on to Jesus and when it seems that the anchor that grips the rock is about to become loose, God sends His helper in the form of her best friend, to show her that she was created to be someone beautiful and no devil in hell could take that away. Her beauty is reflected even more when at the deathbed of the one who causes much misery in her life she leads his lover to Christ. Her reward is indeed deserved!

This novel carries a wealth of rich characters and without them SECOND SUNDAY would not be complete. The conniving, wicked and underhand ways of Cleavon Johnson, the determination of the women like Nettie, Sylvia, Lousie; the wisdom gained through a strong relationship with Christ of Louis Loomis and the spirit of the younger generation in Phoebe, Bertha and Mervin Jr. add to the richness of the novel. Indeed we must “pray our strength” and allow God to lead our lives.