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But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
I Timothy 5:6 (NIV)

“Danger, danger, Will Robinson”. Most likely, only a few of you remember the hit show from the 60’s called “Lost in Space”. It was a family favorite in my house. I can still hear the robot calling out ” Danger, danger, Will Robinson” in my head. If only we would remember the warnings in scripture and take them more seriously than we tend to do. God has provided them out of love and for our benefit.

Living for pleasure

Not long after becoming a widow, I came across this passage in 1 Timothy 5:6 (NIV),

“But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.”

It stopped me in my tracks. What does that mean?

God began to show me the meaning of that verse. First, He introduced me to a group of widows in a nearby community for retired people. Their community is a beautiful area with great facilities to enjoy and wonderful social programs offered daily. In addition, they frequently travel together on various trips and cruises. Boy, was I jealous. I love to travel. They were always having so much fun. Being very kind, they started inviting me to some of their social outings. I loved it, until one day God reminded me of this verse, which made me think about how easy it is to start living for pleasure.

Several in this community were living the retirement dream with plenty of time and resources. They were planning trips to all parts of the world. When they weren’t traveling, their days were filled with a variety of fun activities, such as going to concerts, going out to lunch or shopping, playing Bunco, or dancing. And whenever they got together, they were already planning the next one. On the surface, it seemed wonderful, but as I looked closely, I could see that it was what some of them were living for. They were trying to “live life to its fullest,” but I could see they were in danger of falling for a cheap substitute for a meaningful life. A life focused on pleasurable activities rather than the abundant life Christ gives us. I realized at that moment how easy it would be for me to fall into that same trap.

True joy comes from another source

When I think about the moments of my life that brought me deep, lasting joy, they are the moments when I was in the sweet spot of doing what God wants me to do. These were times I prayed for someone or encouraged someone who desperately needed to hear that God cares. Or when I was on a mission trip, getting to share the gospel and be part of showing how God loves ALL of us. And the moments I’ve spent encouraging other widows that God does have a purpose for their lives. So many moments, big and small, that are truly precious because they have eternal significance. These moments were ordained by God and used for His glory! I was focused on Him – I don’t want to lose that!

Life with purpose

Life with purpose can only happen when we choose to focus on God and allow Him to lead us.

God is not against us enjoying life. He created beauty, laughter, friendship, and seasons of rest. But there is a difference between receiving those things with gratitude versus letting them become the focal point of our lives. When pleasure becomes the focus, it can quietly take the place of purpose. What once was a gift can slowly become a distraction.

I have had to face that in my own heart. What starts as simple fun, and even a bit of escape, can easily become something that shifts my focus away from listening to where God is leading me. I’ve even seen it in something as simple as streaming a series—how easy it is to watch one episode, then another, and before long, I’ve lost focus on what really matters.

As a widow, I have sometimes lost my focus by using comfort and activity to cope with the pain of grief. But God, in His kindness, gently redirected me—not to take joy away, but to lead me into the rich, abundant life He came to give me.

The verse in I Timothy 5:6 is not just a warning—it is an invitation. An invitation to step out of a life that is focused on temporary pleasures and activities and into one that is spent with Him and living a life full of eternal significance.

Don’t miss the invitation – choose Him for a life that is truly alive!