-screams the Spanish tearjerker in my radio, while I am sitting in my kitchen waiting for the Peruvian news. In the next song the singer sighs: “You betrayed me with another woman, but I will never forget you, but love you forever…..” and her follower in the radio complains in a similar way that her lover cannot do without alcohol, but she cannot get away from him as well.

I take an hour that morning to listen to the music program of the common local station and wonder one more time: What is going on?!

In the Bible we can read about many men and women, whom we would call heroes. They conquered kingdoms, attacked the enemies, defeated mighty idols with their priests etc. We see their glorious victories and their successes, but do we see their beginnings and their circumstances?

Gideon achieved a mighty victory over a well-trained army of 135.000 soldiers with only 300 men, who didn`t even fight for themselves. But how did the whole thing start? God called Gideon to fight against the enemies of Israel (Judges 6, 11-14). He already called him to a hero at that time. What did Gideon do? – He refused! He didn`t think highly of himself and did not easily allow himself to be convinced by God. When he was finally obedient and went to destroy the altar of Baal and Aschera he did so at night because of fear.  Later, before he would move out against the army of the enemy, he needed two miracles to be absolutely sure, that God was with him! Is this what a hero looks like?

“Young man, don’t let the devil rule your life!” said the TV preacher.  It was about 1 am and I was busy feeling sorry for myself.  I put on the TV to watch an old movie and escape from my worries for a couple of hours.  The last thing I wanted to do was to listen to a TV evangelist.  Bit I was also too tired to get up and change the channel.  (This was before remote controls!)  Whatever he was preaching about, I’ll never remember, but this statement had absolutely nothing to do with his sermon.  But I do remember that it was like God speaking directly to me. More than 30 years later, I still remember the experience vividly.  It was a personal wake up call to not waste my youth.