Usefulness does not begin with talent, success, or recognition. It begins with honesty before God. A man becomes useless the moment he stops caring about truth. He may still appear productive, creative, or ambitious, but if his conscience is darkened, every effort turns inward and decays. The measure of usefulness is not how much a man achieves, but how much light and order he brings into the small portion of the world entrusted to him. To be useful before God means to live so that ones presence does not spread confusion, deceit, or vanity. It means working with a clean heart, speaking truthfully, and keeping promises. It means fighting against the corruption within, not the faults of others. A clear conscience is stronger than any system of motivation or self-discipline because it keeps the soul in peace — and peace makes steady work possible. In the Orthodox understanding, man was created to serve — not as a slave, but as a living image of Gods order and goodness. When he obeys, he reflects that order into the world: in his words, his work, his family, his surroundings. When he disobeys, everything around him begins to break down. Repentance restores usefulness because it restores this inner alignment. A repentant man can once again build, repair, and bring life to others. Becoming useful, then, is not a project of self-improvement. It is a return to what man was meant to be. It requires sobriety, patience, and gratitude — and the willingness to put away anything that clouds the conscience. The goal is not comfort or perfection, but faithfulness in small things. From there, everything good grows naturally.