For avodas Hashem, the goal isn't solely the results – the good deeds we perform. The process of overcoming the yetzer hara and challenges to do Hashem's will is an essential part of the purpose of our avodas Hashem. We will explain with a mashal:
A patient was instructed to walk outdoors every day by his doctor. A neighbor is driving down the road and sees him walking. The neighbor calls him and says, "Come into my car, I'll drive you home. It will take you an hour to walk home, but in the car, you will be home in a few minutes." He replies, "No, thanks. I'd rather walk." The neighbor tries to convince him to take the ride, but he repeats that he prefers to walk. This is because the purpose of his walk isn't solely to get home, it’s for exercise.
Similarly, avodas Hashem is often very challenging. There are difficult tests that a person must pass, and they are meant to be that way. The goal isn't solely to do a good deed. The path, with all its challenges, is part of the purpose.
This can be indicated in the words ָלְך לֶ ךְ, "Go for yourself..." The "going" is part of the purpose, not only the arriving in Eretz Yisrael. This is also the reason the Torah says תלכו בחקתי אם, when it comes to Torah and mitzvos, also תלכו, the "going" on the path, is significant and an important part of the avodah.
Klal Yisrael has the ability to pass tests, beyond the rules of nature.
The Midrash states "When Hakadosh Baruch Hu began [the Aseres HaDibros] with אלקיך 'ה אנכי, Moshe Rabbeinu replied, גוי עשני שלא." Why did Moshe say this brachah at this time?
We can explain that when the Torah was given, Moshe Rabbeinu proclaimed, "I bless You Hashem for not making me a goy!" When tested, the goyim say that it is hard, and they give up. But the Jewish nation continues to battle against the yetzer hara, and they do the impossible. This is because a Yid can go beyond the rules of nature to do Hashem's will. So, when the Torah was given, Moshe praised Hashem that we aren't goyim, to remind us that we are able to pass difficult tests, and we shouldn't come up with excuses that it was too hard.
In this week's parashah, it states (Bereishis 15:5) הַחוּצָה אֹתוֹ וַיּוֹצֵא, that Hashem took Avraham outside, and said ָזַרְעֶך יִה ְיֶה כֹּה, "So will be your seed." The simple meaning is that Hashem took Avraham outside, told him to count the stars, and told him ָזַרְעֶך יִה ְיֶה כֹּה, "Your children will be numerous like the stars." But Rashi states an explanation that הַחוּצָה אֹתוֹ וַיּוֹצֵא means that Hashem took Avraham outside of the atmosphere of this world, and above the stars. We can explain that Hashem was showing Avraham that the Jewish nation is above the rules of nature. Avraham knew astrology, and he saw in the stars that he wouldn’t bear children. But the Jewish nation is above nature, and they can achieve the impossible.
