One-Size-Fits-All

Have you ever purchased something that is “one-size-fits-all”?  Then you get it home & try it on and it either #1 – swallows you up like a tent?  Or, #2 – is WAY too tight in all the wrong places?  Regardless of which scenario is yours, you then have to wonder – WHOSE size are they talking about anyway?

Now let’s say you go to some kind of a meeting with like-minded people to accomplish something you all agree on.  Can you just take all those people and put them in a box, assuming you’re all going to come at this idea from the same place, just because you all happen to agree on the initial goal?  No, you can’t, because agreeing on an idea doesn’t mean everyone will want to approach it in the same way.  That group of people will come with different personalities, from different races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, ages, education levels, etc.  It won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution as everyone views it through their own life experiences and perspectives.  There will have to be compromises to reach a decision on any actions to be taken.    

Considering these things, why would we ever think that God is like a one-size-fits-all God?  The ways that our God deals with individuals is as varied as are the people with which He’s dealing.   

I’ve mentioned more than once during 2025 that the devotional book I read from each day is titled Hearing His Voice; and, there are very few days that what I read isn’t food for thought.  Some of it has been totally new ideas I hadn’t considered before, sometimes it’s a new slant on something I already knew, and every now and then it confirms what I’ve known and practiced.  I think today’s reading was a combination of all of those.

Chris Tiegreen is the author of the book and peppered throughout, he occasionally shares a message that is a word God has spoken directly to him.  That is what today’s message was.  I really appreciated what it had to say and want to share some of the thoughts with you.  

The scripture reference he uses for this day is from John 13.  This is the story of the Last Supper and how Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and expresses that they should follow His example of service to others.  Then in verse 18a, He says to them “‘I am not saying these things to all of you; I know so well each one of you I chose.’”  That verse had never stood out to me before like it did today.  Just think about it – He not only chose us, but He knows each of us so well!   

Following are some quotes of what the Lord said to Chris:  “‘Like a good parent, I know the personality of each of My own, and I deal with everyone differently.’”  “‘Many of My words are universal, but many are specifically for you.’”  He goes on to say that what He says to others may not apply to him (Chris) and vice-versa; and he shouldn’t try to make them fit.  “‘I have given different gifts to different members of the body.  Respect the individuality of My people.’”  I really loved that last comment – it’s too easy for us to attempt to put people into boxes or expect others to be like us – we’ve got to remember we just are not one-size-fits-all people!  

“‘Don’t just ask Me to speak.  Ask Me to speak specifically to your needs when you need to know My will, and ask Me to speak specifically about My will for others when you want to encourage them with My love.’”  That last part – asking Him to speak about His will for others really struck me.  How often do we look at others and their needs with a “one-size-fits-all” ideology?  We pray what WE think they need, not really considering if that’s really God’s will for their unique needs, which He knows about intimately.  We could be totally off base with what we’re asking for them.

He concludes the message to Chris with these words:  “‘When you desperately need Me, My words and My touch will be individualized to you.  I won’t offer you a blanket, one-size-fits-all relationship.  I have come to you uniquely and have given you a special calling.  You can know Me in ways that no one else can.  Don’t squander that privilege; enjoy it.  I have chosen you to fill a role that no one else can fill.’”

I believe those words from God to Chris Tiegreen could easily be God’s words to each and every one of us!  God isn’t going to put us in a box and expect us to act like every other Christ follower.  He isn’t going to expect us to fit into every situation exactly the same way every other Christ follower will.  We are NOT one-size-fits-all Christians.  We are all unique and have a role to fill.  

There are things that only each of us can accomplish in specific situations.  We need to be prepared to step up to fulfill whatever it is that God needs us to do, when He needs us to do it.  If we fail to fulfill our responsibility, can God still see it through using someone else?  Of course He can!  But what kind of blessing might we miss?  Or, what kind of negative results could we and others suffer if we don’t do what we should do?  Consider the situation Esther was in – the survival of all of the Jews was resting on her shoulders and she could’ve potentially died for approaching the King uninvited as Mordecai was asking her to do.  When she was hesitant, Mordecai sent this word to her (Esther 4:14 GW):  “‘The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this.’”  This verse tells us:

1. If she didn’t do something in her unique position to do so, someone else would be assigned to do it.
2. Instead of a blessing, she and her relatives would die.
3. She was likely in this specific position, at this specific time, at this specific place to effectively accomplish God’s will.

Let’s all take a fresh look at ourselves.  Let’s recognize that we are unique and that God loves us just as we are.  Let’s realize that God can use us just as we are.  Let’s acknowledge that when we do these things, we’ll be blessed.

Written by Karran Martin – November 4, 2025

[All bold emphasis is mine]