The Daily: Friday February 2, 2024

Daily Lectionary Reading: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c  (NRSV, The Message);  Job 36:1-23 (NRSV, The Message); 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 (NRSV, The Message)

I’m not shy in standing up to my critics. We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations, and we have a right to support for us and our families.

1 Corinthians 9:3-5 (The Message)

I am uncomfortable reading this. I am often uncomfortable when someone asks for something they need or want. I am EXTREMELY uncomfortable  asking for what I need or want! There are lots of reasons for that - my personality, my experience, my concern for what people will think about me. Unlike Paul, I AM shy!

Maybe, like me, you could hear this passage as an invitation, a "holy ok," to consider verbalizing what you need. It doesn't mean that we will. magically receive it. It will draw us into further discussion with whoever it is we are engaging. However, if we do it well, or, even, if we don't do it so well, we will learn, we will develop skills in expressing our needs in the midst of community.