One young giraffe. One gnarled tree. One photographer.
So this is probably a world record photo- the smallest visible % of a giraffe.
Who’d have thought a giraffe could hide behind a tree? At Whipsnade, the giraffes have a great enclosure; and observers have a raised platform that makes for an eye-to-eye experience. This juvenile giraffe wasn’t entirely comfortable with having a picture taken. So we had a shuffle dance for about 10 minutes, with adroit manoeuvres keeping most of his/her body safely hidden.
Both of us were saying “I can still see you…”
I am reminded of the passage in Psalm 139 that speaks of the determined efforts of God to stay “in communion” with us- even when we may be trying to run away from Him.
Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
– Psalm 139 v7-12
God is saying “I can still see you…”
He said it to Adam & Eve, to Jacob, to Moses, to Peter, Paul, and Nicodemus. In different ways God kept the path open. Remember Jonah? God said “Go to Nineveh” and Jonah boarded a ship going in the opposite direction! But Jonah couldn’t leave God behind- because God wouldn’t leave Jonah behind.
We may feel like hiding- just like my shy giraffe. But we cannot hide from God. Two more verses-
“The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9).
“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).
He sees what is behind and what is ahead, all the threats, all the dangers. Even the good things He has in store!
The Reflectionary 