“Without inner love, all external works are useless. On the other hand, what is done out of love is great and produces abundant fruit, however insignificant and contemptible it may seem in the eyes of men. For, in God’s scales, what motivates you to act weighs much more than the action itself” (cf. Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ).
This is a key phrase for the spiritual life! Certainly, some of us have felt the desire to do great works for the Lord, and perhaps we are saddened when, despite our sincere efforts, we manage to accomplish only small works—or practically none at all—from our perspective.
Therefore, it is good to keep in mind that our heavenly Father sees and values things differently than we do. For Him, the most important thing is the inner attitude with which we carry out our works. Here, too, a distinction must be made: what determines the value of our actions is not the intensity of our feelings, however beautiful it may be to do good works accompanied by uplifting emotions. Rather, what is decisive is our intention: why do we do this or that?
The noblest intention is to please God and serve others. If our actions are increasingly motivated by this intention, then they will be imbued with that love which produces abundant fruit, regardless of whether visible successes are achieved or what others may think.
In that case, we carry the good intention hidden in the deepest corner of our hearts. And since every act of love makes love grow, our subsequent works will become increasingly pure and bear even more fruit.
Something that will help us on our spiritual journey in this regard is becoming increasingly independent of what others “might say” and even of our own judgment. Ultimately, what counts is God’s judgment.