We should believe in life as if it were a process. In this process all things living are and always will be produced, which in terms, explains life being brought in to exsistence by evolving naturally. As for other materialistic and non-evolving forms, such as energy and non-naturally occuring processes, we should believe that these forms are created, not produced. To be created, means we understand it must be caused by some form of life or being. Also understanding that creation is unable to naturally evolve and is not derived by ordinary processes AKA "LIFE". Although this is not a debate topic, I beg to differ with forms of energy such as galaxies and stars to be a form of life. Any form of energy must of been created, accepting the facts that energy does not evolve nor reproduce on its own.
The questions encompassing why all life prevails on earth or elsewhere for that matter, is what baffles scientists and some of the smartest human beings ever to live to this date. Why does any form of life decide naturally that it will be born, reproduce, and then terminate? Our real question should be: what is the soul purpose for HAVING a life to begin with? If we were to take in to context that every form of life goes through this this kind of process, then how could it of been produced in the first place? This statement would bring my basic therory of why religion and/or "higher powers" were ever started. Since it would be impossible to start a process unnaturally, the process had to in some way be phenomenally created, hence the word "Creator." We needed an answer for a question, and throughout history no one has came up with a factual answer for it. There in turn leaves opportunities for the growth of spirtualistic and religious beliefs to answer it for us. Although I am completely aware of many more reasons and ways religion has came about, I stand by stating that this question is one of the few backbones for religons today.
As stated above, life's meaning can be simply stated as a process. If you were to look at the definition, it basically explains how life works; It is a systematic series of actions that are all directed to some kind of end or termination. Bluntly put, we live and then we die, as do all other creatures and life forms. When looking at life forms with the smallest consciousness, maybe even with none, we find ourselves asking how unintelligent life such as bacteria can still choose to "flow" with the life process. We must still understand that instinct goes far beyond any anatomy. These inborn patterns are embedded in any and every kind of life being. This consequently provides the species to reproduce, live, and then die. Also therefore stating that instinct provides the stability for life. Regardless of consciousness or unconsciousness, it would not make a difference in the chain of this ongoing process as which we call "life" today. How intelligent or unintelligent a being is, would only determine how progressed that species of being has evolved over time. Always be aware that this question can not even be explained by the top 5% of geniuses on this planet. Process is to a Life as Life is to a Process.