The True Goal of Life. A Way of Life Consonant With That Goal

Whatever has come over you? And what are these questions: “I do not know what to do with my life. I must do something. I must set a goal for myself”? I read this and I am astonished—wherever did such puzzling ruminations arise? Why, you have already settled all of this, having expressed the desire to stand at the level of human dignity as a person ought to stand according to God’s design. And what else have you and I been talking about, if not precisely this! So wherever did these questions of yours come from? I suspect that among your acquaintances there are progressive-minded ladies, or you found yourself in a company where such people were present and spreading their philosophical musings. They are accustomed to such wanderings of thought. They have perpetually on their lips: the good of humanity, the good of the people. And so you, having listened to such lofty ideas and been captivated by them, turned your gaze upon your present life and with regret saw that you are vegetating in the circle of family and relatives, without purpose or benefit. Alas and alack! How is it that no one has yet opened your eyes!

If my surmise is correct, you owe me a bow—why did you not tell me about this, having given your word to write openly about everything? Whether this is so or not, however, I cannot leave your questions unanswered. The full answer to them will be our entire conversation; for now I will briefly state only the general idea, so that you may see that the life you have lived until now and continue to live is a genuine life, and there is nothing in it that needs to be changed.

The goal of life—yes, one must know it clearly. But is it really so difficult to determine? Has it not already been determined? The general position is this: since there is a life beyond the grave, the goal of this present life—all of it, without exception—must lie there and not here. This position is known to everyone, and there is nothing to explain about it, even though it is the last thing people keep in mind in practice. But set it as a law for your life to pursue this goal with all your powers—and you yourself will see what light will be shed thereby on your temporary sojourn on earth and on your deeds. The first thing to be revealed will be the conviction that, consequently, everything here is merely a means toward that other life. And with regard to means, there is one law: to use them and avail oneself of them in such a way that they lead toward the goal, and do not divert from it or obstruct it. And there you have the resolution of your perplexity: “I do not know what to do with my life.” Look to heaven and measure every step of your life so that it is a step upward toward it. It seems to me that this is both utterly simple and all-encompassing.

You ask: “But surely I must do something?” Of course you must. And do whatever comes to hand, in your own circle and in your own circumstances—and believe that this is and will be your true work, and nothing more than this is required of you. It is a great error to think that in order to reach heaven, or in the progressive manner of thinking, to make one’s contribution to the bosom of humanity, one must undertake great and loud endeavors. Not at all. One need only do everything according to the Lord’s commandments. What precisely? Nothing out of the ordinary—only what presents itself to each person according to the circumstances of his life, what the particular situations that befall each of us require. It is like this: each person’s lot God arranges, and the entire course of each one’s life is also the work of His all-gracious providence. Consequently, so is every moment and every encounter. Let us take an example: a poor person comes to you—God has brought him. What must you do? Help him. God, who has brought the poor man to you—certainly wishing you to act toward this poor man as is pleasing to Him—is watching to see how you actually will act. It is His will that you help. Will you help? You will have done what is pleasing to God—and will have taken a step toward the ultimate goal: the inheritance of heaven. Generalize this case, and it will yield this: in every situation and at every encounter one must do what God wills us to do. And what He wills, we know with certainty from the commandments given to us. Does someone seek help? Help him. Has someone wronged you? Forgive. Have you wronged someone? Hasten to ask forgiveness and be reconciled. Has someone praised you? Do not be proud. Has someone rebuked you? Do not be angry. Has the time for prayer come? Pray. For work—work; and so on and so on and so on… If, having thought all this through, you resolve to act in all situations so that your deeds are pleasing to God, being performed unswervingly according to the commandments, then all questions concerning your life will be fully and satisfactorily resolved thereby. The goal is blessed life beyond the grave; the means are deeds according to the commandments, which all the situations of life require to be fulfilled. It seems to me that everything here is clear and simple, and there is no need to torment yourself with intricate questions. One must cast from the mind all plans for vast, far-reaching, universally human activity—the sort that the progressive-minded ladies rave about—and your life will be seen as set within a peaceful frame, quietly leading to the main goal. Remember that the Lord does not forget even a cup of cold water given to one who thirsts (Mt. 10:42).

You will say: “But still—one must choose and determine one’s manner of life!” But where are you and I to determine this? We sit down to think it over—and confusion starts in the head. The best and surest course of all is to accept with submission, gratitude, and love that determination which God pronounces through the flow of circumstances. Let me take the matter as it applies to you. You are now under your parents’ roof. What could be better than to wish for? It is warm, safe, and comfortable. So live there, without letting your thoughts fly afar, and do earnestly everything that lies upon you. “But still, think about it—one cannot remain like this forever; one’s own separate life must begin at last. What then? And how can one not think about it?” Here is the best thinking about it: surrender yourself into God’s hands and pray that He would arrange things for you as He finds best, so that your destiny would not hinder but help you reach blessed life beyond the grave—and do not dream of a brilliant lot. Having set your mind thus, wait with patience for what God will at last pronounce concerning you. He will pronounce it through the convergence of circumstances and the will of your parents. Having established yourself in these thoughts and found peace in God, live without building empty plans, and do the deeds that lie upon you in relation to your parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and all people. But in no way think that this life is empty. Everything you do in this order will be a deed; and if you do it with the awareness that this is how it should be according to the commandments and that this is what God wills—it will be a deed pleasing to God. So it is with every small thing.

I think I have explained everything to you. I will only add the wish that you think carefully over what has been written, fix it firmly in your mind, and set yourself accordingly. I prophesy to you that you will find full peace and will no longer be troubled by thoughts such as: “My life is good for nothing—I am doing nothing useful,” and the like. Only keep your heart on a tight rein, for otherwise it generates a great deal of foolishness. True, it is bad without the heart as well—for where there is no heart, what kind of life is there? — yet one should not give it free rein. It is blind, and without strict guidance it will immediately fall into a ditch.

God bless you!