There is a cliché in the business world, “It’s all about the results. I don’t care how you get there.”
In the ruchniyus world, the opposite is true: It’s all about the journey; the results are beside the point.
The Malbim says that this is the meaning of the passuk, Seek Hashem and His power.
In a game of “hide and seek” the point is to find the one who is hiding.
If our goal here is to seek Hashem and find Him, we might as well give up before we start. Reaching Hashem is clearly unachievable; His essence is unfathomable.
The pasuk continues by acknowledging the futility of this mission, Searchּ for Him constantly.
Since the goal is unattainable, you will be in a constant state of seeking.
What then is the objective?
It is the quest itself.
The struggle may seem endless, without a light at the end of the tunnel — but therein lies the mistake:
The light is not at the end of the tunnel; it is running alongside of you. It is illuminating your path.
Every time we try to move forward, to grow and subdue our instincts, Hashem is there beside us holding the lantern.
The Midrash says that the pasuk: You shall be holy, is related to the pasuk: May Hashem send you assistance from the Holy.
THe Midrash is addressing an unasked question:
“Do you really want me to be holy? This is impossible. I’m bound to fail!”
The answer is that Hashem realizes this, so the Midrash adds: As regards holiness there is a special siyata d’Shmaya. Every spiritual endeavor requires Hashem’s help, but inyanei kedushah even more so.
This idea is reiterated again in the famous Chazal — “If a man sanctifies himself even a little, he is sanctified a great deal.”
In both the Midrash and this Gemara, we see that there is a special siyata d’Shmaya for kedushah.
Why? Because Hashem knows how hard it is.
We are not alone.