Recently, one of my grandsons needed new sandals for the summer. A trip to Wal-mart revealed a major flaw in mass marketing-standard sizes don't always fit! All the sandals were either too short-leaving a toe dangling unprotected over the end-or too long-with enough empty sandal sticking out to trip an already awkward 5 year old.
I watched a street vendor in Ghana address this problem with a personalized approach. Her sandals were almost complete, but the straps weren't finally attached to the sole until a customer's foot was firmly planted with all toes in the optimum position. Only after marking the right spot were the nails driven in and the straps permanently attached. The sandal, fitted to a specific foot, fit right every time!
Aren't you glad that God isn't a mass marketer? Sure, some elements of our faith are similar; in fact, every test, trial, and challenge to our faith is, in a sense, "common to man." But God takes these "common" elements and builds a unique situation, personalized circumstances, and specific opportunities just for me.
No standard, one-size-fits-all, normal life for me! God the Master Designer, who designs every event in my life for my good and His glory, knows just what I need, how much I can handle, and how to fit every circumstance so the shoe-my shoe, built just for me, fits me-perfectly.