A Test of Faith

A lecturer was speaking in front of an audience. He mentioned, how important it is to keep Shabbos.

One of the people in the audience, stood up and said: “What does keeping Shabbos have to do with Amunah (faith)? I don’t have to keep Shabbos, and I can still believe in G-d.”
________

The speaker answered with an example:

A man was climbing a mountain. He was very close to the peak, when he reached a place, that was pure ice. He struggled a long time, and was able to progress a little higher. But then, he could go no further.

Looking up high on the mountain, he noticed that there was a small tree on the summit. He managed to lasso the tree, and started to pull himself up. But then he heard the sound, of the tree starting to crack.

He then called out to G-d: "G-d help me.”
G-d answered: “If I help you, will you believe in me?”
The man answered:” Yes, for sure, just save me!”
G-d answered: “If you really believe in me, then let go of the rope!”
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They lecturer then turned to the man who had asked the question:

“The same is true of you. You will believe in G-d, as long as it has no practical application to you and your life. But when it comes to letting go of your rope, and closing you business on Shabbos, you are afraid to let go.

You have created G-d in your own image. You do not believe in G-d, you only believe in yourself.

If you truly want to connect with G-d, then you have to have Bittel, and do what G-d wants.
__________

The same applies, to connecting to the Rebbe. Even though one may not understand everything the Rebbe said, or one may find it uncomfortable, to do the opposite of ones nature; nevertheless, this is how one grows, and unites with the Rebbe.