Midday Meetings: Finding Peace in the Present Moment

Start by noticing who Jesus is in this moment. He is not hurried. He is not scattered by competing demands. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, Jesus "is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)—unchanging, present, fully attentive. You might tell him what draws you to him right now. Maybe it's his calm in chaos, his wisdom, his ability to see people clearly. Talk to him about his character. What aspect of who he is do you most need to remember as you navigate the rest of your day? Let yourself sit with that for a moment.

Now bring him the parts of the meetings—past or upcoming—that weigh on you. Maybe you spoke too quickly in a conversation, or you stayed silent when you should have said something. Perhaps you felt anxiety rising and let it drive your words or your silence. You might confess impatience, a critical spirit, or the way you've been carrying the burden alone instead of trusting him. Jesus already knows what's there. He invites you to name it without shame. As John writes, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, ESV). There's no judgment waiting here—only a friend who sees you fully and loves you anyway.

Pause and look for the gifts tucked into this ordinary day. Maybe someone said something that encouraged you. Maybe a conversation went better than you feared. Perhaps you simply made it this far, and that itself is worth acknowledging. Thank Jesus for his presence—even the presence you didn't notice in the moment. You might thank him for the people in your meetings, for the work you do, for his faithfulness to show up in the middle of your Wednesday. As Paul writes, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, ESV). Gratitude doesn't require that everything went perfectly—it simply means seeing his hand at work.

Finally, bring him what you need. If there are more meetings ahead, ask for clarity, wisdom, and calm. Ask him to give you words when you need them and silence when that's what's needed. If you're processing a difficult exchange, ask him to help you learn from it and to soften anything in you that needs softening. Ask him to help you remember, in the middle of the rush, that you are not alone and not responsible for controlling outcomes. You might pray, as Jesus taught us, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10, ESV)—trusting that his purposes matter more than your agenda. Tell him specifically what you need from him for the next hours.