What
is Kingsley Andrew Obiefule’s story and where is he coming from?
I am just a young man who got saved by Jesus
like Saul on his way to Damascus. I come from a family of four. (I’m actually
the first). I grew up in Benue state, my primary and secondary education was in
that same place. After my secondary education, I moved to Port Harcourt to live
with my dad. Both my parents are from the Eastern part of Nigeria. Well, that’s
all I can say for now*smiling*
What
inspired your writing Triumph in the Midst of Chaos?
I have always loved writing and
drawing/painting since when I was a kid. Sometimes it landed me in trouble
while classes was going on.*smiling*. I wrote a novel(fiction) while in SS2. I
did this together with a friend (Joy Ishegh) though the work wasn’t published
due to some reason. After this, I didn’t write for a while. But things took a different turn in 2006 October
when I got born again. This passion and dream of writing came alive again. I started
writing articles which I didn’t get to publish but were just edited by some
good older friends with same passion and mind -some who were Public speakers.
But in 2010, in my second year in the university, I received the mandate to
come up with this work. This was at the time I was a student pastor in my
campus fellowship.
I
have read this book and seen that there were quite a number thought thrown up
on so many spiritual issues. However, what exactly did you hope that your book
would primarily be pegged on?
Well, firstly I
must say thank you for going through the work. The major message this book brings
to the readers amidst all others is that CHALLENGES ARE PART OF THE THINGS THAT
PERFECTS OUR WALK WITH GOD. I have met a
lot of Christians who complain and grumble for going through one hard time or
the other. These persons believe that being a Christian makes them free from
trials in life. A lot of Christians have been cajoled to believe that all they
need to do to escape the boisterous wind that man must come in contact with in
life is by becoming a Christian or possibly going to church, but TRIUMPH IN THE
MIDST OF CHAOS says no to such extra-biblical thought (extra-biblical thought
in my own way means thought that are inconsistent with the truth in the word of
God).
What
are your thoughts on theme of Amazing Grace as it concerns Christianity?
*smiling* Mr. Nnanna Ikpo! First of all, I
will start by saying that whatever any man is or we are today is by the mercies
of God. God is not under any obligation to give man anything after Adam sinned
in the Garden of Eden, but because of His love for us, he sent Jesus to die for
us. We are saved by the grace (unmerited favour) of God through our faith in
the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yes God loves us, but the truth is that a lot
of us who call ourselves Christians have trampled on this grace, they have
abused it a lot because they usually don’t see the immediate anger of God for
their misbehaviours. I see amazing grace as the goodness of God towards all men
irrespective of whether they are born again or not. Take a look at what the
bible says;
Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. From this scripture we
can say that, grace is Gods general goodness to all persons.
On
page 10, you wrote that ‘if your lifestyle does not get God’s attention, be
sure you cannot get his intervention…God is not committed to watch over a man
who is not committed to Him.’ I would like that you explain this in relation to
the Amazing Grace and the unconditional love of God.
I will like to answer you first by showing
you what the bible says.
Rom 2:3-4
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest
them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the
judgment of God?Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?
If you carefully look at the fourth verse of
that romans 2, you would realise something amazing. Gods general goodness is only
made available so that we can realize how much he loves us and turn away from
our evil way. Permit me to say that this goodness has a limit. This is why paul
asked, “shall we continue in sin and expect that grace will abide with us”. No!
Permit me to say it in this way, grace can keep you alive with the intention of
drawing you close to God (repentance), but there are some things you cannot get
from God until you experience the new birth.
There are persons who go about living
carelessly with the hope that grace is available, but the truth is God cannot be
deceived or mocked. So when I said you
only get Gods attention through a lifestyle pleasing to Him, I meant you cannot
access some level of blessing in life unless you live a worthy life.
Secondly, when we talk about the
unconditional love of God, it does not in any way read the foolishness of God;
rather it means the kind of love that crosses human limitations in other to
save a soul.
In
the third paragragh of page 57, you wrote: ‘Listen, God was not going to meet
the children of Israel in Egypt, but in the wilderness. God won’t meet you in
Egypt but in the wilderness. In order for you to experience God, you have got
to come out of Egypt…he is not coming into that addiction to get you. God is
standing outside of your confusion, patting His foot, looking at his watch,
waiting to meet you because he has got good things in stock for you.’ I would
love that you throw more light on this part please.
For about two years now, I have been opportune
by God to meet a lot of teenagers and youths with one form of addiction or the
other. And what I keep hearing most of them say is “if God actually wanted me
to stop he will come and take it away”. I have seen a lot of persons
comfortable in their addiction, but we have to understand that until we make a
move of change, we will not see God in action. This means that God is waiting
on us to make a move, even though we sometimes think we are the one waiting on
God. What that place was trying to say is that until you are uncomfortable
enough to introduce a move of the change you want, you will remain with that
problem. Remember that even in Genesis, the children of Israel stayed in Egypt
longer than the time prophesied, not because God was not true to His word, but
because they didn’t initiate any move to their freedom. And the Bible records
that when they got fed up and cried to God, immediately He heard their cry and
Moses was brought into the picture.*i believe you understand this sir*
I have
even met a lady who once said that if God actually wanted her to stop
fornication then He (God) would have to come and take the feeling away from
her. But in the real sense, you are a human and those feeling are part of what
makes you human so God cannot take it away, rather if you begin to discipline
your thoughts and actions, God will step in to assist you go through it.
What
drives you the most as a writer?
I don’t mean to sound too religious, but i
must say that THE GOD IN ME IS WHAT DRIVES ME MOST.
Have
you ever had one of those solo moments- when it’s just you against the rest of
the world?
ANSWER: Yeah! I have gone through such times
a lot of times. The most recent is getting my first book published. It was not
easy at all coming out with such work. A lot of persons (friends) didn’t
believe that i could actually come out with something as great as this. When I
shared my views or ideas and revelations some criticised it and laughed at me
but man, I just couldn’t stop on the way. Some persons even tried to make me
believe that it was a waste of time because nobody reads in Nigeria, but I
remember telling them that.....”The reason people don’t read is because my book
is not out yet. When it comes out, people will start reading”. Even after
writing, I had to go through a lot to get the finance required down for the
work.......... it wasn’t that easy but it was worth it BIG TIME!
Is
Kingsley seeing someone?
*laughing seriously* hmm! I’m Single though
not searching.
What
else takes Kingsley’s time outside his writing?
At this point in my life, outside writing,
reading is another thing that takes all of me. I love reading a lot. I also
enjoy basketball when am not with a pen and paper.
Who
are your mentors and role models?
I draw a lot of inspiration and lesson from
men like Bishop David Oyedepo, Dr. Paul Enenche, T.D Jakes, Myles Munroe,
Praise George, Joshua Selman and Dr. Joe Vitale
Who
do you read and what are you reading now?
I read Bishop David Oyedepo very well, Dag
Heward Mills, Myles Munroe, Praise George, Dr. Paul Enenche, Donald Trump, Ben
Carson, and would not forget one of my best authors T.D Jakes. Right now, Kingsley
is actually reading a book titled MAXIMIZING YOUR POTENTIAL by Myles Munroe.
(Permit me to advertise for him a little.. please go to the nearest bookshop
and pick this book and you won’t regret it). *smiling*
Who
are you listening to?
Myles Munroe, TD Jakes, Chris Delvan, Bishop
David Oyedepo, Dr. Paul Enenche. In the area of music, Hill song. That’s all.
What
is your advice for the youths of Africa?
Africa is a great continent with resources
capable of changing the world. I am not talking about crude or limestone, but
UNTAPPED POTENTIALS IN YOUNG PEOPLE. We live in a time where people are cajoled
to believe that the changes we yearn for lies in the hand of our presidents,
governors or law makers. But in the real sense, we are the change we are
looking for. I always tell young people around me, that until our continent
stop celebrating papers but visions we will not go anywhere.
Youths must also understand that we live in a
groaning generation. All creation groans and awaits the unveiling of the true
sons of God, men with visions. Not people who at the age of 25 still sag their
pants, roaming around the streets. *smiling*. We can change our continent if
only we believe hard enough in those dreams that are locked within us and
pursue them till they become realities. Thank you.
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