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Nothing Else Matters

  • Writer: Whitney Ramos
    Whitney Ramos
  • Apr 25
  • 6 min read

Updated: Apr 27

If God isn’t first in your life's pursuit, everything else is out of order.

By Whitney Ramos


A young Black woman sits at a desk with her hand on her forehead, surrounded by diplomas, books, and papers, looking overwhelmed and deep in thought.
You can have all the success in the world—and still feel lost inside. When achievement becomes our focus, we risk missing the One thing that truly satisfies: intimacy with God.

Why is it so hard

to give God our full attention?

Why is it that the moment we decide to get serious about God—the distractions hit harder?

Why does it seem like every time we want to spend quality time in the Word… our phone buzzes, our mind wanders, or suddenly everything else feels urgent?

It’s like something keeps pulling us away. And the truth is—it’s not just coincidence. It’s warfare.

The enemy knows that if he can’t destroy you, he’ll distract you.

He’ll make everything feel more pressing than your time with God.

And if you’re not careful, days become weeks… and weeks become distance… and distance becomes dryness.

And we wonder why we feel stuck...


What's really going on?!


This isn’t just about time management. It’s not just about being busy.

This is a spiritual battle.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8

The devil gains ground every time we:

  • Delay time in God’s presence

  • Numb our spirit with noise

  • Replace worship with worry

  • Prioritize convenience over consistency


He’s not just after your time—He’s after your devotion.



A woman sits with her hands pressed against her temples, looking stressed and burdened, deep in thought. The expression on her face shows emotional and mental overwhelm.
The enemy loves to exhaust your mind so you don’t engage your spirit. This is more than burnout—it's a spiritual battle for your focus, your peace, and your intimacy with God. This matters to Him and it should matter to us.

This isn’t a small issue. This is about relationship. It’s about your soul.

God doesn’t just want your attendance. He wants your affection.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” — Deuteronomy 6:5

From the garden to the cross—God has always wanted a relationship with us.

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8

You can say all the right things. Show up at church. Quote scripture. And still be far from Him.



What Happens If We Don’t Pursue Intimacy with God?


When we neglect our relationship with the Lord, we drift. We become spiritually numb. Easily deceived. Powerless in battle.


You’ll start to feel dry—and not even know why. You’ll wonder where your peace went, your clarity, your joy.


But it’s not that God moved… It’s that we let the noise drown out His voice.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” — Hosea 4:6 “The heart is deceitful above all things… Who can know it?” — Jeremiah 17:9

Without intimacy, you rely on your feelings instead of God’s voice. You move based on emotions, not discernment. And that’s a dangerous place to be.


But Here’s the Good News:


He hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s still there.

Still waiting.

Still wanting time with you.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8

You don’t have to earn your way back. You just have to answer.

Return. Refocus. Rebuild.

Because He’s still the only One who can satisfy your soul.


You Can Have Everything and Miss What Matters Most


A thoughtful woman stands near a large window, holding a closed laptop to her chest with one hand placed over her heart, appearing reflective and grounded.
When everything pulls for your attention, stillness becomes strength. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause, place your hand over your heart, and say, " God, I put you first."


There are people with all the success this world offers, but no peace in their soul.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” — Matthew 16:26

Your soul is eternal. And only Jesus satisfies it.


We’re feeding our flesh constantly—entertainment, food, scrolling, affirmation—but our souls are starving.

You don’t need more caffeine. You need the Word.




“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” — Psalm 42:1

Don’t Forget What’s Eternal


Chasing after everything the world offers will keep you distracted—if you let it.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

Slow down. Make room for God—on purpose.

You can still have goals. You can still build. But true wisdom is knowing how to submit it all back to Him.

Before you chase the dream, ask Him about it.

Before you set the plan, invite Him in.

Because if God’s not in it… it’s not worth it.

Put Him first, and let everything else flow from that place.


It’s About Relationship

This is about walking with Jesus daily. Not just believing in Him, but following Him.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27

Only One Thing Will Count

“And this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” — John 17:3

Not your title. Not your talent. Not your timeline. Just this: Did you know Him?


Learn to fight back

Learn to be consistent

A young woman stands with a sword in hand, surrounded by a misty atmosphere, symbolizing spiritual warfare. The sword glows, representing the Word of God as her weapon.
You don’t fight spiritual battles with natural weapons. The Word of God is your sword—sharp, alive, and powerful. Speak it. Declare it. Use it. "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." —Ephesians 6:17

This is spiritual warfare, but we fight back with intentional habits.


  • Start with God, not your phone. Put your Bible on top of your phone at night.

  • Set a sacred rhythm. Schedule your time with God like your life depends on it.

  • Keep it simple, but show up. A few verses. A prayer. A journal. A worship song.

  • Cut the noise. Turn down the world so you can hear God clearly.

  • Fight with intention. Declare His Word. Plead the blood. Don’t play defense—go to war.


The more you choose it, the more it changes you. The more it changes you, the less the enemy can distract you.







Prayer of Repentance

Dear God,

I come before Your throne of grace and mercy.

I come with a heart that’s heavy, yet open.

Repentant. Needing You more than anything else in this world.


Lord, I admit it…

I’ve let other things take Your place.

I’ve allowed distractions to numb me.

I’ve pushed You aside when life got busy, and I’ve called it “unintentional.”

But the truth is—You haven’t been first. And for that, I’m sorry.


I’ve run on empty. I’ve poured out without being filled.

I’ve chased what fades while ignoring what’s eternal.


But today, God, I lay it all down.

I surrender the idols, the noise, the false priorities.

I surrender my pride. My plans. My need to control.

I surrender what I thought I could manage without You.


And I ask… Holy Spirit, cleanse me.

Wash me. Break me open. Fill every space I tried to fill with everything but You.

Burn away what’s not like You, and rekindle the fire that once consumed me.


Don’t let me become someone who looks spiritual but lives disconnected.

Don’t let me grow comfortable living distant from Your voice.


Draw me back into communion with You.

Into stillness. Into reverence. Into intimacy.

I don’t want a shallow relationship with You—I want to be marked by Your presence.


Let the fear of the Lord grip me again. Let the oil flow again.

Let the Word come alive again. Give me fresh hunger, fresh obedience, fresh fire.


Because nothing else matters if I don’t have You.

And I don’t want to just say it—I want to live it.


Have Your way in me, Jesus. Now and forever.

Amen. 🔍 Have you drifted from God and feel Him calling you back?

❤️ Ready to put Him first again?


***If that’s you — drop a comment 💬 or send me a message 📩.

I'd be honored to stand in prayer with you. ✨🙏


And if posts like this speak to you, let me know!❤️

Like it, share it, or leave a comment — it helps me know whether to keep pouring out more like this.


Either way... I'm not stopping.

We’re running after Him, no turning back. 🚀💖

 
 
 

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