Some of books about faith leave their readers with mixed feelings. At least, it happens with me. They give detailed explanations of how faith operates, but something is missing. Even being true in many aspects, they give an impression that faith can be learned from books. "Just know laws of faith in your mind, and then use your will to live according to them, and this will be enough". But I am convinced that faith cannot be reduced to a number of rules of what and how to do.

First of all, faith is of the heart. Heart is the place where deepest mysteries of God are known and understood. Faith is of the Spirit, and the Spirit breaths wherever wants. The Spirit is not subject to human commands. Faith creates and brings newness into existence. That's why it cannot be put into a Procrustean bed of what is known about faith from past experiences.

When we look at so-called "heroes of faith" in the Bible, it is easy to notice that their faith, although proceeding from the same Source, manifested itself in various ways. Faith of Abraham was different from the one of Moses. Faith of David was different from the one of Jesus. Faith of Peter was different form the one of Paul. Why, then, should we strive to follow ways of those people instead of finding of our own path?

We are unique individuals, possessing unique spiritual gifts, dealing with unique situations. It is reasonable to expect that our faith will be unique in its character.

For some, to have faith means to sit still, waiting for divine order to unfold.
For some, to have faith means to stand up tall against all winds and blows.
For some, to have faith means to walk steadily toward the desired point of destination.
For some, to have faith means to run faster than the others.
For some, to have faith means to step aside, giving way to the others.
For some, to have faith means to look for other ways.

In our heart, we receive a word of God - living breath and inspiration of the Spirit. Nobody except ourselves will ever intervene in this "holy of holies". Acting upon this "word" unleashes the stream of divine energy which flows through us and brings into existence corresponding manifestations.

This is the reason why we cannot judge faith of others - at least, before its fruit appears. Who we are to know which is possible, and which is not? Who we are to judge what God can do through a single human being?

Indeed, sometimes faith looks like arrogance. Sometimes, it looks like foolishness - just because it cannot fit into boundaries of our current understanding.

It is a known fact that many men and women of faith - creators, inventors, artists, and reformers - are ridiculed and laughed at. But when the time for manifestation comes, critics and doubters are confounded. It does not happen always, though. Some people of faith could die without proper recognition - but it does not mean that their life was spent in vain. Their mission was to prepare the way for future generations to follow, to pant seeds into people's minds. It takes many years for some seeds to grow.

So, let us not be concerned about faith, or lack thereof, of others. Let us give all attention to developing of our own faith.

Many people ask, "How do I know that the voice in my heart is the one of faith?" I don't think that any person from the outside is qualified enough to determine. It is our responsibility to know ourselves - to learn about our inner life, so that we might distinguish spiritual inspiration from the one of lower nature. We will learn the art of discernment in a due time.

"Solid (spiritual) food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:14, RSV).