Smiling at the Future with Dignity
I continue to pray that God will use the Bible reading and other Christian teachings that people around the world heard during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral to bring many to Jesus Christ.
As I think back about the Queen’s life, many key words come to mind. Among these are: faith, service, hope, and dignity.
I was impressed with the honor that funeral guests and even news reporters showed during her funeral. The funeral service was certainly dignified.
It seems to me that dignity is rare. I feel that the queen’s rare dignity was one of her many traits that drew people to her. I like the second definition of dignity in the Merriam Webster dictionary: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed. I believe that all people long to be worthy, honored, and esteemed.
Among Christians I hear much about faith, love, kindness, and many other traits that are important to God, but I rarely hear about dignity. Yet dignity is important to God.
In 1 Timothy, Paul tells us to pray for kings and all who are authority, so that we may lead:
. . . a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:2
He teaches that an elder must manage his own household well:
. . . keeping his children under control with all dignity.
1 Timothy 3:4
He also tells us that deacons must be:
. . . men of dignity . . .
1 Timothy 3:8
He teaches that women must likewise:
. . . be dignified . . .
1 Timothy 3:11
Paul wrote to Titus that older men were to be dignified (Titus 2:2), and he told Titus himself to be dignified (Titus 2:7).
Proverbs 31 describes the life of “an excellent wife” (verse 10) and tells us that she “smiles at the future” (verse 25). I pray that God gives you grace today to smile at the future, as you are clothed with strength and dignity.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
Proverbs 31:25