The Rebbe - a miner.

Once when the Rebbe was asked to elaborate on the nature of his position, he explained that he is a miner. Just as a miner digs into the depths of the earth, sifts through much dirt and stone, and ultimately comes up with jewels and precious metals, so, too, the Rebbe teaches and empowers us to penetrate to the depths of our being and reveal the inner G-dliness dormant within our souls.

Going beneath the surface of our personalities is not a new concept. The novelty here is not in the idea of digging, but what one comes up with when one digs.The Rebbe dug and came up with G-dliness.

The Rebbe operates from a different perspective. What is significant is not what he or other people see or want in this world, but what G-d wants. Why did G-d create the world? Why did He create this particular person and this particular situation? A person is to look beyond his own individual horizons and see a larger picture - a Divine picture.

We learn to do so as we connect with the Rebbe, study his teachings, follow his directives, and endeavor to understand his motivation.

Extending this approach further, one looks to the era of the Redemption. The world at large was brought into being with a goal. As our Sages comment, "The world was created solely for Moshiach."

For that reason it is important to learn about the era of the Redemption and appreciate the mindset that will prevail at that time. As we become more acquainted with G-d's purpose for creation, we are more capable of prodding that purpose into fulfillment and enabling the world to reach that desired state.