There’s a beauty that’s pleasing to the eye, and a beauty that’s pleasing to the soul. These can be one and the same, but it’s still helpful to make distinctions in the orders of beauty. This gives us the freedom to recognize and appreciate the beauty of form without mistaking it for the beauty of soul.
First order beauty is physical attraction. Perhaps this is having a firm and youthful body with curves in all the right places, or the one who could easily be a cover model. Or maybe it’s being captivated by one’s seductive walk, sensual voice, or the deep sparkle of their eyes. Whatever it looks like, heads turn and no one doubts her feminine charms.
On the other hand, second order beauty is the inner beauty that radiates from one’s soul. This speaks to one’s heart, character, and way of being in the world. Through their very presence they comfort and inspire, nourish, renew, refresh, and bring healing to those around them. This is not a power one can possess by being simply physically attractive or having first order beauty only. It requires a depth of soul and character.
While these distinctions are helpful, this is not to suggest they’re mutually exclusive. One can have both first and second order beauty. And faithful stewardship does not favor one over the other. There’s a need to cultivate both.
The power of first order beauty is that it speaks even in passing. Perhaps this is like the beauty of nature that God generously gives to everyone, but is still speaking through it. On the other hand, second order beauty is relational. It cannot be fully experienced without some degree of relational commitment with each other. And this is like the special grace of God that only those who belong to Christ can receive.
As such, we can freely honor and be grateful for all the first order beauty God allows us to witness, while also learning to seek, value, and protect the second order beauty that becomes more precious than gold.
In the end, let your eyes be delighted by the beauty that attracts, but let your soul be anchored by the beauty that radiates.
