Answer
That tendency is natural. We all make practical assessments.
For example, if you are distributing books on a bus and you know from experience that certain people are unlikely to purchase a book, you naturally approach others first. Such practical judgment is part of doing one's service efficiently.
The problem is not practical assessment. The problem comes when that same mentality is extended to Krishna.
When dealing with people, some degree of judgment is unavoidable. But when standing before Krishna or His deity form, that mentality should not be carried over.
Before the deity, you are not seeing an ordinary person. You are seeing the unlimited Supreme Lord appearing in a finite form.
The deity may appear to be made of stone, marble, brass, or some other material, but we should not think of the Lord as finite. The visible form is only a window through which the infinite Lord is accessible to us.
Whenever you stand before the deity, remember:
The Lord is immeasurable.
The Lord is inconceivable.
The Lord is unlimited.
The Lord's greatness cannot be fully understood by our conditioned senses.
This consciousness should always be present in a sadhaka's devotional life.
In Vraja, Mother Yasoda does not constantly think, "This is the Supreme Personality of Godhead." There, Yogamaya covers Krishna's majesty to enhance intimate loving exchanges.
Krishna perfectly enjoys His role as a child, and Mother Yasoda perfectly experiences maternal affection. Yogamaya filters awareness of His greatness to increase the sweetness of those relationships.
However, for sadhakas, awareness of Krishna's supreme position should always remain. Even if one meditates on Krishna as a friend, as Arjuna did, one should remember that He is still the Supreme Lord.
This creates respectful intimacy.
When and how that awareness is covered by Yogamaya in higher stages of devotion is not under our control. If Yogamaya decides to reveal deeper intimacy, then Krishna may be experienced as one's friend, child, or beloved.
Until then, a devotee should cultivate loving intimacy combined with reverence and respect for the unlimited Supreme Lord.
