Chutzpah

Chutzpah

".....that we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may
be greatly encouraged...and have this hope as an anchor for the soul."
Hebrews 6:18-19

Growing up in a largely Jewish neighborhood, "chutzpah" is a word I am familiar with and have even found myself using at times. Where one person might say "it took a lot of nerve for them to do that", my Jewish neighbors would say "it took a lot of chutzpah to even try and do that!". The dictionary definitions are anything but flattering, defining it with words such as "nerve, brashness, impertenence, gall, unashamed and supreme self-confidence, and incredible guts".

One definition gave a hint of good when it described it as "the quality of audacity, whether for good or bad". And another, using it for "someone who has overstepped the boundaries of accepted behavior with no shame" helped to clarify its' use.

My search for its' meaning began this week when the book I was reading used "chutzpah" to describe Jacob's behavior when, while wrestling with God, he refused to give up. And it went on to describe it as "the act of persevering with unyielding tenacity". Think of the story: God had told Jacob "Let me go, for it is daybreak". And Jacob had the "chutzpah" the audacity, the nerve, to hold on to God declaring, "I will not let you go unless you bless me". He persevered with unyielding tenacity and the result was God blessing him and changing him.

Elisha did the same thing when Elijah constantly tried to get him to remain behind but he refused saying "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you." There is a lesson for each of us, the need for a holy "chutzpah", or boldness, in pursuing the promises of God and blessings of the Lord. Sometimes we have to go beyond what is considered acceptable behavior in going after the Lord for the miracle we need. Other times we just have to refuse to take no for an answer when everyone else is telling us to give up and accept a situation we face.

My prayer is that you will lay hold of the Lord (and not let go) with an unyielding tenacity that has been missing in your life. Let the qualities of Jacob and Elisha be in you. Dare to ask God for great things, dare to go to the Lord for the impossible, knowing that with God, all things are possible and then hold on with all the tenacity that's in you!

God Bless,
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church