Deciphering this existence

I have thought, and I hope I'm not alone in this, What is the point? Yes the repetitive age old question, what is really the meaning of this existence really. I've noted how of course we naturally tend to think this when things are going wrong. Its during these moments, not always though, we second guess life. I've always thought it sucks how its something we have absolutely no control over. Not getting to decide whether you you actually want to be part of this big, confusing, competitive place we call our home. Home to roughly 6 to 7 billion other individuals. We are ALOT. It can be overwhelming.

At the end of it, will it really matter whether you were here or not. This is of course interpreted differently by those with different religious views. Not being a very religious person myself, I do tend to sometimes question where all this is going. I find my self at an odds when I simply can not make sense of it. At the end of the day, the truth is no one knows for sure. For those who believe in deities, they have their faith. Again, I'm not stating I'm an atheist or non-believer but my faith tends to waver in comparison to the devoted worshipers. I do believe in a higher power, God, and I do believe he does protect us. I just don't understand eternal life after our life on earth. It is perplexing to me how we are set to live our life on earth in accordance to or in anticipation of a life after this. How what we do in this life, we shall pay for it in our afterlife, be it good or bad. This makes me think that people hold back or live with reservation as they are trying to ensure a pleasant afterlife. That's not how one should live life, but then again, these are probably guidelines for us on how to live a righteous life.

I feel that religion tends to have its extremists. Just as any other ideology. I find it interesting how each is different and how some condemn others. In the case of extremists, condemnation tends to be more server. This is the stark dissimilarity within religion. It can be seen as a guide and fortitude for those who suffer or it can be the cause of so much suffering. I on the one hand have my reservations. I am not a devoted worshiper but I do believe in His presence.  I don not attend service religiously but i do, though occasionally, have conversations with Him. I wonder what awaits me, all of us, after this life has passed and if one day we'll actually come to understand the meaning of it all.