With regard to the pop-in maid service, the term "Pop-in" is positive. It means they arrive just when you've hired them to show up, they clean your house, and then they pop out when their work is done. In everyday relationships, though, people's behavior patterns, our own included, are not usually that convenient or predictable. People pop in without an appointment at the most inconvenient times. "Can you come to the county jail and post my bail?" And they pop out again without warning, often leaving all kinds of unfinished business. "I think we should see other people." "I'm sorry to have to inform you that your loved one passed away this morning." Parents leave young children and never return, leaving the child to spend their lives blaming themselves. When they're old and vulnerable and need care, sometimes the same parents pop back into their children's lives. People we love and depend on pop out, die, too soon. Not knowing when people are going to pop in and out makes for a very unpredictable life.
We've mentioned that people respond to pop-in Jesus in varying ways. He responds in varying ways to them as well, meeting them where they are with what they need. He offers peace (Lk. 24:36) to the fearful (Lk.24:36); He offers a challenge to the slow of heart (Lk. 24:25) and the persistently doubtful (Lk. 24: 38). He offers teaching to the uninformed or the forgetful (Mt. 28:50). He offers a blessing and a purpose to those he is about to leave (Lk. 24:52).
When somebody in everyday life has a startling habit of popping in unexpectedly, we are tempted to say to them, "Next time, how about giving me some warning?" When they leave suddenly, we are tempted to say "Next time, how about saying goodbye and not just disappearing?"
In the odd plot of our lives in which people come and go, pop in and pop out, it is good to have one person we can count on and introduce to everyone we know.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In