Elegance in Character Qualities

Strength implies confidence while dignity speaks of “honor, moral character and nobleness of mind.” Elegance is “distinguished form what is common by politeness or grace” and is usually applied to one’s “manners or behavior and the gracefulness of one’s gestures delivered in an agreeable manner.”¹

Elegance in Training

Our mind’s eye brings a gracefully refined and dignified royal to mind. Trained and well-versed in polished manners for public ceremonies, the royals seem to express the very definition of elegance. Their graceful movements, classy dress, and stately stride speaks of their intense grooming for public service to their country.

Elegance in Communication

Though elegance can be associated with the royals, elegance does not equal lavish, luxurious and imposing. Elisabeth Elliot seemed to equally embody elegance in the jungles of Ecuador, in speaking in front of large international audiences, and in her book writings.

In writing, elegance “consists of correct, appropriate and rich expressions, or well-chosen words arranged in a happy manner.”¹ Elisabeth Elliot wrote well-chosen words of surrender to God.

“Leave it all in the Hands that were wounded for you.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

“There is nothing worth living for, unless it is worth dying for.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

“It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

“Everything if given to God can become your gateway to joy.” ~Elisabeth Elliot [CW]

Elegance in Beauty

Elegance in architecture, “consists of symmetry and distribution of parts of an edifice, or in regular proportions and arrangement.” Elegance is applied to many works of art or nature remarkable for their beauty. It is what “pleases by its nicety, symmetry, purity or beauty.”¹

Many cities have botanical gardens that display beauty in their placement of trees, flowers, sculptures, fountains, and larger water features. Beauty in nature is calming, refreshing and reviving to the human soul. Each season brings its own charming display of color.

Elegance in the Bible

Elegance in the Old Testament using the ISV version, “Your eyes will see the king in his elegance, and will view a land that stretches afar.” While the NASB states, “Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will behold a far-distant land.” ~Isaiah 33:17

Choose Strength, Dignity and Elegance

Even though most of us have not been trained in elegance from childhood, let us choose today to

• Walk in strength or confidence
• Show forth honor, moral character and nobleness of mind
• Apply elegance with politeness or grace
• Enjoy the beauty of elegant symmetry in nature, art, and architecture
• Write well-chosen words arranged in a pleasant manner

Recommendation:

Devotional Thoughts and Ponderings 28-Day Writing Challenge Devotional Thoughts and Ponderings 28-Day Writing Challenge – Strength with Dignity

References:

¹ Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from http://www.webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary

40 Inspiring Quotes from Elisabeth Elliot. Contributing editor is Debbie McDaniel. Published on Crosswalk [CW] on June 17, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from 40 Inspiring Quotes from Elisabeth Elliot (crosswalk.com)

Elegance in the Bible. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from Elegance in the Bible (2 instances) (knowing-jesus.com)

International Standard Version (ISV) Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. All rights reserved internationally. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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I’m joining The Write 28-Days Challenge for the month of February. Today is Day Nine and the word prompt is elegance. #write28days