I was asked by Excellence Reporter to answer the question: “What is the meaning of life?” I spent the entire evening and night reflecting on my life—how I have lived, what I have experienced, and what I have found meaningful along the way.

To my great surprise, I realized that I had discovered meaning many times, beginning in early childhood. When we were in kindergarten, planes would fly overhead, and we would shout, “Airplane, airplane, take me on a flight!” I wanted to become a pilot. Then, when we built wooden rockets in our yards and played as astronauts, I dreamed of going to space. Over time, my aspirations changed. But life had its own course. Physically, I was fit for certain roles, but one of my eyes did not see, which meant I could never become a pilot. Yes, I knew how to take photographs and shoot video, but my impaired vision meant I could never work as a camera operator.

The realization that I could not become what I once dreamed of—again and again—led me to moments of despair, making me question whether life had meaning at all. But optimism always came to my rescue—a deep, natural optimism that told me: “Well, then I’ll become something else.” And love helped too. The desire to do something meaningful was always rooted in love—love for someone, love for something.

Looking back on my life today, I am convinced that I have not lived in vain. Of course, I have made mistakes—perhaps even serious ones in the eyes of the church. But I cannot say that my life was wasted or meaningless. On the contrary, I have tangible proof that what I have done has not been in vain, that my actions have served a purpose. I have saved people—about seven from drowning. I have helped rehabilitate drug addicts, rescuing several from destruction.

I remember once visiting Father Naum during a period of great discouragement. The struggle to help drug addicts was especially disheartening; we invested deeply in some, only to see them relapse. I asked him, “What is the point if everything always seems to end in failure?” He simply asked, “How many have you saved?” I replied, “A few dozen, I suppose.”

“Well then,” he said, “if even one of them survived, you have already lived your life for a good reason.”

That answer gave me peace. And even now, it reassures me. When I think of all the people I have helped—not just saving lives from drowning or addiction, but persuading someone not to take their own life, helping someone find work instead of turning to alcohol, pulling someone back from the brink of despair—I see that there is meaning.

And now, I will tell you what I believe this meaning to be.

The Universe—this vast Universe with God at its heart—is filled with beauty. It is beauty that the Lord has already created, beauty that is still unfolding, a divine creation in progress. Humanity itself is part of this ongoing creation. The Lord did not simply breathe life into man once and make him perfect; I see how people evolve, how they grow in understanding of God’s words, how they move from ignorance to enlightenment, from darkness to light. This process—this unfolding of beauty—is the very fabric of the Universe.

Yet, within this beauty, there is chaos. And chaos is the raw material for beauty. The Lord continues to shape the Universe, building beauty from chaos. And all of this happens through love. Beauty is born of love. It is the desire to make things better, to create, to bring order to disorder. Hatred, on the other hand, can only destroy. Hatred breeds suffering, ruin, and misfortune.

Because there is still so much chaos in the world—so much raw material for beauty—the work of God continues. And here lies the greatest meaning of life: to be God’s assistant in this work. To co-create with Him. To take part in shaping beauty.

There are no limits to this co-creation. Even the smallest act of creation contributes to it. There are artists who carve masterpieces onto the tiniest of surfaces—a single poppy seed—yet they are participating in the divine act of creation. In the same way, every person has the opportunity to co-create. Whether by crafting something with our hands, speaking truth with our words, composing or playing music, inspiring others through kindness—every action that fosters beauty, love, and goodness is a contribution to God’s work.

And when I see great beauty—whether in art, music, or the nobility of human actions—I am often struck by the thought that these moments might influence the entire Universe. It may be a playful thought, but sometimes, when I hear of a supernova exploding in some distant galaxy, I wonder: Did something we created—something beautiful—contribute to that? And when I hear of an asteroid crashing into Jupiter, I think, Did we do something wrong? Of course, I say this with a touch of humor.

I love the beauty of this Universe, the beauty created for us by the Lord. And I believe that every one of us can participate in this beauty, as God’s assistants, as co-creators.

May all be in good health.
May all find meaning.
Amen.

~Mikhail Makhov – Russian priest, The Shelter of Angels.

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Original Russian interview:

Copyright ©2020 Excellence Reporter