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UNITY WAY

September 26, 2004

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Secrets of Faith: Heart

by Andrei Yashurin

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). 

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Andrei Yashurin: yashurin@gmail.com

http://pcjournal.ru/talks Talks on Truth

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All messages (c) 2004 by Andrei Yashurin

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