Another, related lesson the Torah teaches us by recounting the story of "Lech Lecha" can be learned from the words of the Midrash. ליתן לו שכר על כל פסיעה ופסיעה, As mentioned above, Avraham followed Hashem's guidance every step of the way on his journey to Canaan. But there is a deeper layer to it. Although Avraham eventually arrived at Eretz Canaan, the reward he got was "for each and every stride". Rabbi Yochanan is teaching us here that it is the individual steps that are the fulfilment of Hashem's will, as opposed to reaching the destination. Avraham was rewarded for every additional step he took in accordance with Hashem's will, he was not rewarded for arriving in Eretz Canaan.
Rashi in Parshas Vayikra tells us, "For all "speakings" [that Hashem spoke to Moshe Rabbeinu] and all sayings and all commands a calling preceded".
The Apter Rav, in his sefer Avodas Yisrael, reveals a deeper meaning hidden in Rashi's words. Rashi, he says, teaches us here a great principle in Avodas Hashem. Moshe would not go to speak to the Shechinah until a call from Heaven preceded. Likewise, a person who wants to ascend from level to level in Avodas Hashem, and is looking to acquire lofty madreigos, the conduct of Moshe teaches him that this is not the way. Moshe Rabbeinu waited for a "call from Heaven" before proceeding towards Hashem. So too says the Apter Rav, elevated spiritual levels are not to be taken by oneself, but granted from Above.
"A true Eved to Hashem," says the Apter Rav, "is one who worships Hashem and does not really seek any madreigos, any lofty levels, until he is "called" and forced from Heaven to do so, because the world needs it." He does not perfect his Avodas Hashem for the sake of having achieved lofty levels, rather he constantly assesses what his obligation is at the moment and faithfully proceeds along that path.
He continues with a powerful precaution; "with our own eyes, we saw many of the Chasidim who have gone crazy, G-d forbid, or have fallen into depression. What is the cause of this? It is not from [over-straining in the study of] Torah, G-d forbid, because the Torah pleases and gladdens the heart," Additionally, he says that neither is it as a result of exhaustion from doing mitzvos, which by their nature cannot bring a person to sorrow. "But the point is", he explains, "that it is those people who want to ascend to God, but the "ladder" eludes them, because they do not worship Hashem gradually, they grasp levels and deeds that do not belong to them, without any call and permission from Heaven." They do not consider where Hashem has placed them, and the tools He has given them, rather they disregard the circumstances and seek to leap towards lofty goals that Hashem did not desire to reach at that time.
The Apter Rav continues by cautioning us that "there are also people, whose main Avodas Hashem is in order to achieve madreigos, but the Torah warns us "Do not ascend unto My "altar" by stairs [-madreigos]," meaning, in order to acquire madreigos, "that your nakedness may not be exposed upon it" -as we have evidenced that those who have obsessed about reaching great heights have come to misery, unlike the righteous people who are satisfied, fulfilled servants of Hashem". He explains that this means that one should not ascend the "Mizbeach" -alluding to service of Hashem, only for the purpose of acquiring madreigos, for achieving loftiness, rather they should ascend because this is the will of Hashem, and they should do so gradually, just as the Kohanim ascended in small steps on a ramp and not using stairs.
(עבודת ישראל, ליקוטים, ויקרא)
These enlightening words further emphasize the aforementioned idea, that although goals need to be set in order to achieve greatness, the goal itself is less important than the journey and the effort involved in reaching it.