Hiking the Clouds: The Journey to Mature Faithਨਮੂਨਾ

The Waypoint of Agape

When one has once fully entered the realm of love, the world—no matter how imperfect—becomes rich and beautiful, it consists solely of opportunities for love. – Søren Kierkegaard

At the heart of the journey of faith is love—God’s perfect love. By nature, God is love, and as we surrender to Him, His love flows through us.

Each stage of growth—virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, and brotherly affection—removes barriers that keep us from living and loving as He does.

This is the journey we all must walk to grow into a mature faith.

Even Jesus walked this journey. He obeyed the law (virtue, knowledge), endured testing (self-control), entered the dark night of suffering (endurance), and revealed resurrection hope (godliness and love). His life shows us the path, and His Spirit empowers us to walk it.

When we trust that God is working all things for good, we're freed from the need to immediately judge events or people because God’s love is always at work. We still name sin as sin, but we also see beyond it—to what God can redeem.

This perspective transforms how we see others. Instead of adversaries, we see fellow travelers. Instead of dividing the body of Christ, we learn to value every stage of faith: those focused on virtue, others on knowledge, some on healing and transformation, and still others wrestling with God in endurance. Each stage has value, and all fit into the larger story of God’s love.

Agape is patient with others’ growth. Agape is kind, gentle, and generous. Agape forgives and keeps no record of wrongs. Agape celebrates truth, protects, perseveres, and always hopes.

Agape love cannot be manufactured. It is a gift. But the journey prepares us to receive it more fully. When we live from this love, we are freed from envy, pride, and self-seeking. We no longer need to defend or prove ourselves.

Love opens the world to us. What once felt threatening now becomes an opportunity to give and receive God’s love. Even the fog, silence, and disorientation of the climb are not signs of failure but of growth. Spiritual maturity is not arrival—it is love, deepening and widening within us.

If faith feels or look different than it did in the early days, don't be discouraged. Trust that God is guiding you right to where you need to be. Trust that He's transforming you with His love and leading you to new levels of awareness and insight. Even if it's uncomfortable, trust the process of his transforming work in your life.

As Paul wrote, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The journey is transformation and the summit is love.


This devotional is based on the book Hiking the Clouds: The Journey to Mature Faith by Joël Malm.

For more resources visit: http://joelmalm.com or check out his other devotionals on YouVersion.