07/10/2019
An excerpt from “You Can’t See Him, But I Can” blogpost by Tatum Fishel at Everyday Exiles | Link in bio to read in full.
I’ve been spending a lot of time with our dogs recently. The other morning when I let them out in our backyard, one of them ran directly to our back-fence barking and growling and digging. When I got to the fence, I realized it was a turtle. And somehow, he had gotten himself turned onto his side and stuck in the brush.
Later that morning, when I went out with the dogs again, my dog ran directly to that spot in the fence. Obviously, he remembered that there had been a “friend”. I thought I would look to see if our little turtle was still there. Unbeknownst to the dog, he had made it about 10 yards on the other side of the fence. I remember saying out loud, “You can’t see him, but I can.”
How often does that happen? Where we need a second perspective to find something. I felt the Lord nudge me a little and remind me that I’m so much like the pup in this situation. Looking and longing and very frustrated, but not seeing.
I think of Job who, out of his affliction and frustration, asks God a bunch of questions. God answers him (with more questions): “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding… Have you commanded the morning since your days began… Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? (Job 38:4, 12, 18). The answer is no, no, and you guessed it – no. Job wasn’t there. Job did not have the power to do the things the limitless God could do. And that’s ok.
We live in time. God does not. He sees our futures and he sees our pasts. He knows all the workings of the world interweaving into one grand story. He sees where our failures will masterfully work for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). He’s been working since before time on a plan to rescue his Beloved. He sees and we can’t.
It’s been balm to my soul today. To remember that he sees and he knows. He knows where I’m longing and frustrated and he already has a plan for me. And he has a plan for you.
I pray you believe me when I say: “You can’t see it, but He can.”