It started out innocently enough. Looking through YouTube videos I happened upon watercolor tutorials. I had been in search of videos that would teach me how to sketch better. It was a great idea except I became distracted and lost sight of the prize. Now there is nothing wrong with watching videos to learn how to do things but it’s the time spent watching and doing, that can become the problem. Realizing my lack of discipline I decided I wanted to learn to listen to God better. Things didn’t turn out quite the way I had planned. Instead of listening, I became even more distracted when I happened upon a watercolor video about making homemade Christmas cards. So I started to make them.
I became so focused on making the cards that I lost sight of spending time with the Father. So much for listening. I was doing the right things, praying, doing devotionals but I wasn’t spending the quality time with God that He deserves.
As I thought about that, I realized that the whole time I was wanting to hear from God, He was trying to speak but I wasn’t stopping long enough or being still long enough for me to hear Him. You know, kind of like that person who asks you a question and moves on to the next question or topic before you can answer them. That was me. I wanted more of Him but I wasn’t waiting for Him to speak, instead I was moving to the next topic. Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t treat us like that? Can you imagine if He did? Maybe that’s why He has so many teachings on what our relationship with Him should be like so we could use that role model to have that kind of relationship with others. Why He took time give examples for us to follow.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:12,13
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Colossians 3:14
God bless!
Blog With Marie 
I’ve experienced the same dilemma on You Tube. Social media sites purposely make their platforms “sticky”. To keep viewers on the site for as long as possible, these companies use sophisticated algorithms and behavior prediction techniques straight outta Los Vegas.
Anyway, my point is God doesn’t manipulate us like that. There isn’t a little blue Jesus icon on our phones with red numbers over it. Like you said, if we want to have a conversation with God, we have to stop long enough to REALLY listen.
Thank you for sharing this. I saw myself in your admission of sometimes changing the subject before God even answers. Blessings.
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So true, God doesn’t manipulate, He’s the real deal. Thank you for sharing. Your welcome, and sorry for the long delay in responding. Blessings!
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