“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.” – Erma Bombeck

That’s an interesting quote, isn’t it? I saw it somewhere earlier this week – I don’t remember where exactly – but it’s obviously popular again because I’ve since seen it several times. Perhaps in the parlance of the internet it’s “gone viral.” But I wonder – is it a good thought?

Now, to be clear, I’m an Erma Bombeck fan and don’t ask that question lightly. Let’s face it; I’m no Erma – famous for her books and thousands of newspaper columns. So, if she says her hope was to end her life without “a single bit of talent left” who am I to question that hope. And, at first glance it sounds really good because who wouldn’t want to stand before God and say, “I used everything you gave me”? That’s the heroic model, right: “she used herself up in a noble quest.”

Yet, having grown up drinking the Wesleyan water of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace, her hope seems to me to be a little misplaced. Wouldn’t it be better to find oneself standing before God saying, “I used everything you gave me to make room for more”? Jesus says to us that we “must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48, ESV). Yet, throughout the bible it is clear that we are far from perfect.

So what are we to do? Well, I think the full Christian life is one of “filling ourselves up” rather than “using ourselves up.” I know that’s probably an oversimplification, but as John Wesley said, if we understand the truth of being saved by grace, we understand that this is “a restoration not only to the favor, but likewise to the image of God” so that we are filled with the fullness of God. And that last bit says it all to me: “filled with the fullness of God.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit our gifts and graces never run dry and we are enabled to run the race and steadily increase in the knowledge and love of God and neighbor. Sanctifying grace draws us on an ever upward trajectory so that we approach the throne of God “filled up” not “used up.” But maybe I’m being too hard on Erma – what do you think?