I’m still thinking about the quote, “You can multitask things, but you can’t multitask people.”
Not only am I guilty of multitasking people, I’m guilty of trying to multitask God. I have to sit to do my devotionals, or read my Bible with a pad of Post-Its next to me so I can jot down all the other thoughts that crowd out my head while I’m trying to concentrate. I get distracted, I take breaks, I throw in loads of laundry, I think God will understand.
But lately I’ve realized, God doesn’t multitask me.
He’s not listening to the prayers, petitions, or pouting of millions of people all at once, giving them each a percentage of His attention. That is the glory and joy of living outside of time, He doesn’t have to worry about making the most of His free time. He isn’t tired and doesn’t have deadlines. He sees me. He sees you.
I’ve always loved Hagar’s story in Genesis 16. “She [Hagar] gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [the “well of the Living One who sees me”].” — Genesis 16:13–14 (NIV). God saw her, heard her cries when she was at her lowest point in life. He is a God who sees, who looks after his Beloved.
Isn’t such a God worthy of all my time and attention instead of sharing me with the laundry? I think so. Perhaps I’ll amend the quote: “I can multitask things, but I shouldn’t multitask God!”