A Place of Vulnerability and Trust
When we gather around the table and eat from the same loaf and drink from the same cup, we are most vulnerable to one another. We cannot have a meal together in peace with guns hanging over our shoulders and pistols attached to our belts.
When we break bread together, we leave our arms–whether they are physical or mental–at the door and enter into a place of mutual vulnerability and trust.
The beauty of the Eucharist is precisely that it is the place where a vulnerable God invites vulnerable people to come together in a peaceful meal. When we break bread and give it to each other, fear vanishes, and God becomes very close.
—Henri J. M. Nouwen,
Bread for the Journey
In Psalm 78:19-20, the Israelites doubted God, asking, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?” Though they had seen His power in delivering them from Egypt, their faith wavered when faced with hunger and thirst. They questioned whether He could truly provide for their needs. This doubt reflects the struggle we often face—trusting God in times of uncertainty. When difficulties arise, we may wonder if He will come through for us, forgetting His past faithfulness in our lives. Yet, God’s response to Israel’s doubt was not just provision but abundance. He provided water from the rock and manna from heaven, demonstrating His limitless power and care. When we are tempted to doubt, we must remember that God is always able to meet our needs in ways beyond our imagination. Instead of questioning His ability, we should trust in His perfect timing and provision, knowing that He is both our Provider and Sustainer. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics