We utterly deny all outward wars and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any
pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world. The spirit of Christ, by which we
are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it;
and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ, which leads
us into all Truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither
for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world.
-from A Declaration to Charles II, 1661
Peace is tranquility, meditation, soothing, nurturing ... I want to sleep right now. For me peace is when my kid goes to the bathroom and you know you've got two minutes of down time. That prayerful interlude of God's worship keeps slowly, methodically, and teasingly jogs in front. Then the kid comes out; it's that bad dream so many of us have of trying to get a lifesaving object but an invisible force holds you back.
I catch up and embrace these times as if quelling my inner rapids. Yessss! I got this. I got this prayer time. I Center Down into worship. Centering Down is Quaker parlance for clearing your minds and settling down to achieve a spiritual focus (see Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Faith and Practice). But then Life keeps disturbing the focus. Should I have given a bigger tip to the pizza guy? When is my next doctor appointment?
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