Splash Zones warn people of imminent danger. Have you been to an aquarium and seen an area marked off with paint or ropes to indicate that water may penetrate that section? Some years ago, my husband and I visited Sea World in Florida. We arrived just in time for the show with the killer whale. The arena was packed except for one area at the front. About ten concrete rows in the middle section were painted yellow. My husband innocently encouraged me to sit with him in those ideal, front-row seats. I was unsure about the splash zone, and something inside of me was hesitant. He persisted, so we sat right up front. Yes, we had the best seats in the house! And, yes, we took some amazing photographs of the killer whale performing! But, we were not prepared for the surprise finale when the huge whale swam around and around the tank gaining speed. When the killer whale landed after a high jump into the air, a wall of water came over the glass partition and totally soaked me. I learned a lesson about splash zones that I remember today!
Splash zones are the surrounding areas which may feel the effect of a focal impact. Like a rock thrown in the water, there is a ripple effect. I recently had an experience that reminded me that splashes without water happen throughout life. Experiences often produce ripple effects. While at the Atlanta airport recently, I shared a word of witness with one lady which connected with a lady in our splash zone.
The clerk in the news stand was very pleasant as I paid for my water bottle and magazine. She complimented me saying: “You surely look happy today.” I had prayed that morning to be a witness as I traveled, so the Lord brought to my mind a perfect response: “Well, my joy is from the Lord and not my circumstances.” She quickly moved from around the counter and gave me the biggest hug. We sisters in the Lord rejoiced together as I briefly shared my testimony and she shared hers. She sent me on my way with a promise: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). As I walked out of the news stand, a lady who had been browsing through the magazines looked up at me and said: “Thanks so much! I needed to hear that today.” Our joyous witness had not only blessed the two of us but reached others in the splash zone!
My lesson that day is simple: talk about Jesus and let others overhear your conversation! Ask the Lord to give you courage and determination to speak a word of witness as you go about your daily life. Don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to speak to someone as you splash the Gospel on them and those around them!