Aim for the Greatest Tzidkus No Matter What

The Aron was made of wood. Wood can symbolize being a piece of nothing, like it says: ץֵﬠ יִנֲא ןֵה סיִרָסַּה רַמאֹי לַאְו שֵׁבָי ישעיה נו ג I am like a piece of dry wood, with no ability to bear fruit. Yet, this dry wood is overlaid with pure gold: וּנֶּפַּצְתּ ץוּחִמוּ תִיַבִּמ כה י inside and out.

This teaches us that although you may feel quite insignificant, yet on the outside you act like gold, and you make believe you are a Tzaddik. You may have done the worst Aveira , but this doesn’t stop you from trying to daven with lots of Kavana and acting like a Tzaddik.

Aiming for great Tzidkus is justified, since your “inside” is indeed gold; as you are a Tzelem Elokim and a Yid, with a holy Neshama, and all kinds of dormant abilities.