What is the Purpose of a Single Person?

5 answers when it comes to a single person's purpose in life

As a single person in my forties, I think I got used to being asked some of the most common questions about being single. Questions such as “Why are you still single?” or “Are you dating someone?” seem to have lost their impact by being asked too often through the years.

But there is one question that I heard someone ask that seems to have verbalized much of other people’s unspoken thoughts about single people. And this one goes like this: “What do you think is your purpose in life as a single person?”

This question may have been asked innocently, but it could certainly carry a lot of weight for the person being asked. In the first place, the fact that this question should be raised seems to imply that it is not very evident what a single person’s purpose could be.

In my mind, I also wanted to ask, “Does it seem as though single people have no reason to continue with their lives compared with married people?”

One’s purpose in life is something deeply connected to one’s worth and the meaning of the life one is living. That is why I thought it’s very important to address this question not only for those who are curious, but for single people who may not be able to put into words the current purpose of their lives.

Here are some of the possible answers when it comes to a single person’s purpose in life:

1. To form and nourish deep relationships with other people

Being single does not mean that a person is without any human relationships. While we may not have spouses or children to take care of, we also have other important people in our lives.

These relationships give meaning and purpose to the lives of single people. Our relationships with parents, siblings and close friends help us to find something worth living for each day.

If we have siblings who have children, we also value our relationships with our nephews and nieces. Some of us still have grandparents we can talk to or even take care of in their old age.

I am very thankful for all the people that God has blessed me with. They are like angels in the way that they inspired, supported and defended me.

2. To serve the greater community of people around us

If we extend this further, one can also think of our ties to our neighbors and the people we work with. Many single people also belong to a Church where we form a deep spiritual bond, enabling us to have someone to lean on to when it comes to our faith.

We can also talk about various social and charitable organizations that single people belong to. Through these groups, one is able to make a contribution to society, thereby giving more meaning to their lives.

How many single people do we see who are working silently in Churches or non-profit organizations? They are the ones who offer their time and effort to keep many of these groups working more effectively in achieving their goals.

3. To improve oneself

Single people use the time that they have to learn new skills or engage in new hobbies. Singles continue to enhance their talents so that they can be of better use to those around them.

We aim to develop the gifts and resources God has bestowed upon us, making the most of them and letting them be channels of His grace and blessings to the world.

4. To grow in our relationship with God

For me, this should be the most important goal of single people. Since we have the time and the opportunity to do so, we try to spend time in prayer, reading the Bible and being in God’s presence.

Just like Saint Paul mentioned in the Bible, we can have fewer distractions and focus more on knowing and serving God.

When we come to think of it, however, shouldn’t it be the main purpose of every human being? This is certainly not only for single people but for everyone.

Asking single people about their life purpose seems to indicate how we should dig deeper in realizing the meaning of our life on earth.

This meaning can only be found eventually in our relationship with God. And it is through this relationship that all of our other goals should proceed from.

Whatever state in life we may be, our lives can have meaning for as long as we have a good relationship with the Lord.

5. To prepare for other stages in life

While some singles may be single for life, many single people can still look forward to entering other states in one’s life.

Some of us may still get married and have children. Some may discern that one is being called to religious life.

Hence, our current days can also be spent preparing for those seasons.

Our God-Given Purpose

Each person has a unique purpose in life whether one is married, single or in a religious vocation. The important thing is to discover this purpose and devote oneself to making the most of the life one is given.

Being single neither excuses nor excludes one from having a purpose. It is something innate in every human being, and it is something that comes along with our God-given gifts.

We were all created in the image of God. A God who is loving, wise and always works with purpose and meaning in everything that He does. Let us be like Him and rise up to His great plans for our lives!

“Each woman who lives in the light of eternity can fulfill her vocation, no matter if it is in marriage, in a religious order, or in a worldly profession.” - Edith Stein

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