'Woman Seeking Man'

Is it ok for a woman to seek out a man? If so, should she see each match as an 'assignment from God?'

Hi, Renita,
I have become a member of a safe online dating service, and that's a blessing to me. I had prayed before joining because I wasn't comfortable with the "Woman Seeking Man" thing. Everywhere in the Bible, if I remember correctly, the man is to supposed to seek the woman, not the other way around. But then I was reminded that God will never be "boxed-in" as to how He works in my life or others' lives. I view all my matches as an assignment from God, and I listen to their hearts when reading their messages. What do you think of my approach?
--Too Spiritual?

Dear "Too Spiritual,"

I'm glad to see that you got over your hang-ups about the whole "woman seeking man" thing.  I can understand why you might think that the Bible frowns on women who take the initiative in romance. Sermons about women who use their sexuality to trap or overpower men abound in every tradition. While it’s certainly true that our biblical ancestors were convinced that modesty was a virtue in a woman, there's nothing in the Bible that explicitly forbids a woman from showing interest in a man or taking the initiative to start up a romance. Don't think for a minute that the Shulammite maiden in the Song of Solomon was a wallflower. Anyone who declares, “I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves…” (Song of Solomon 3:3) can hardly be described as a woman sitting around waiting to be noticed. The Shulammite chased down the elusive shepherd who tormented her heart with his love, and admitted that she desired a relationship with him as much as he desired one with her.

 

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