The days of summer are upon us. Summertime doesn't always mean that there will be a lot of rest and leisure time for everyone, but I remember well the summer breaks of my childhood between school years. It was wonderful to have such a long and lazy period of time each year in which to explore the woods around the Pennypack Creek, or to play kick the can or other great outdoor games. I think that those days gave many of us a real sense of peace and contentment, and as adults we actively seek to find those feelings again, and sometimes we find them.

 

The Heavenly Doctrines teach about peace in many places, such as this:

 

By "peace" is signified all things in their fullness which are from the Lord, and from these all things of heaven and the church, and the happiness of life in them. These are of peace in the highest or inmost sense. It follows therefore that "peace" is charity, spiritual security, and internal rest. When a person is in the Lord, he is in peace with his neighbor, which is charity, and in protection against the hells, which is spiritual security. When he is in these he is in internal rest from evils and falsities. Since therefore all these are from the Lord, it may appear what is signified in general and in particular by "peace" in the following passages:

 

    Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. (John 14:27)

    Jesus said, These things I have spoken, that in Me you might have peace. (John 16:33)

    In His days shall the just flourish, and an abundance of peace. (Ps. 72:3, 7)

    Then I will make a covenant of peace. (Mal. 2:4)

    Jehovah bless you, and lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)

    Jehovah will bless His people with peace. (Ps. 29:11)

    Jesus said to the seventy whom He sent out, Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house. (Luke 10:5; Matt. 10:12)

 

Peace is what inmostly affects all good with blessedness.

 

(Apocalypse Revealed #306)

 

In a state when one is peaceful, one looks at all things in peace, even things that are not peaceful. When one is in an angry state, everything arouses anger - even the playing of little children. (Spiritual Experiences #379)

 

Make sure you get some kind of a break this summer. Have a great time, and may you feel a real sense of peace in your life.

 

Tom