Last summer a party of us lost our way among the lakes of Ontario. A violent storm came up, but we found shelter under a great rock till the storm raged past. Then we resumed our hunt dispiritedly until one said, “Let us climb this rock; we may spy the trail from the top.” It was a hard climb, but the challenge of the rock restored our courage. As we conquered the heights we gained confidence and mastery, and the hilltop gave us a vision of our way out.

Get high enough up, you will be above the fog; and while the men down in it are squabbling as to whether there is anything outside the mist, you from your sunny station will see the far-off coasts and haply catch some whiff of perfume from their shores, or see some glinting of glory upon the shining turrets of “a city which hath foundations” (Hebrews 11:10 KJV).

The soul which hath launched itself forth upon God is in a free place, filled with the fresh air of the hills of God.

Oh, there are heavenly heights to reach In many a fearful place, While the poor, timid heir of God Lies blindly on his face; Lies languishing for light Divine That he shall never see ’Till he goes forward at Thy sign, And trusts himself to Thee. C. A. FOX

We are continually retreating behind our limitations and saying, “Thus far and no farther can I go.” God is ever laying His hand upon us and thrusting us into the open, saying, “You can be more than you are; you must be more than you are.”

Are the hills of God thine atmosphere?