greatness

Why I Bought 15 of the Same T-Shirt

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Every morning I wake up, go through my preflight checklist for the day’s adventure, and walk to my closet. Waiting inside just left of the center divider are my fifteen nearly identical T-shirts. The only thing that differs are the five different colors and whether they are a v-neck or standard cut shirt. Why in the world would I do this? What compelled me to empty my closet in order to donate five thirty gallon trash bags full of clothes? I did it to simplify.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about minimalism. I’ve not ventured into much of that. I don’t want to be a minimalist in the way I mostly understand them. I merely want to simplify my life. I’ve spent the better part of two years now simplifying everything. It was bound to reach my closet. I simplified the way I work. I simplified the way I communicate. I even simplified my faith—which seems like a no brainer. But why my closet? Well, not to be coy, but it’s a simple answer. In order to eliminate decisions.

I want to make less decisions. I’ve reached a stage in life when my responsibilities have never been larger. I’ve never been “needed” by so many people before. People depend on me to make good decisions. So in order to make great decisions I’ve made a few changes. One of those changes has been to eliminate unnecessary decisions.

I have fifteen of the same T-shirt because what T-shirt I’m going to wear in the morning is an unnecessary decision. Sometimes I am heading to an event or occasion that calls for attire a bit more demanding than a T-shirt. But not often. If I do I’m ready for that and it’s an important enough event for me to invest the time it takes to make a decision. If not, then it is T-shirt time.

Research has demonstrated that we are really only capable of making so many sound decisions in a given day. So I cut out the ones that don’t really matter. This is also why I eat two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast daily with two cups of black coffee. I just eliminated another decision. 

I’m not obsessive compulsive. I don’t freak out if I don’t have my eggs or need to put on a dress shirt. I frequently decide to do something different, but I don’t have to. That’s why I bought fifteen of the same T-shirt. I sat a decision free. That’s one more decision I can make every day concerning something far more important than what’s hiding my belly button from the world.

How can you rescue a decision in your everyday world? What extra thing might you do, think, or attempt if your mind wasn’t preoccupied with some unnecessary decision? Simplify your own path to opportunity and see where it takes you. 

August 8 - Serve

Matthew 23:1-12

The greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matthew 23:11 ESV)

Jesus was not a fan of the scribes, a sect of religious teachers that had become lost in corruption. They were overly harsh with the general population and used their position as a means to extort people for monetary gain. They were crooks and thieves mascara ding as clergy. They loved the honor of their position, but squandered their influence rather than leverage to help their people who were suffering under Roman rule.

Jesus teaching was very contrary to the scribes' example. He taught that position was not something to seek after or brandish as a badge, but rather it is the natural acquisition of someone in unselfish service to God. In God's kingdom you must serve to be great. The measure of human greatness is determined by the amount of love and service demonstrated in one's life. We like to be honored. Sometimes it can be completely natural to want recognition, but Jesus taught that true love, service, and greatness bypass those things.

It can be a simple thing. Serving doesn't have to be sacrificial or lengthy. Often the most monumental acts of service are done from a place of sacrifice, but we must not overlook the simplicity of demonstrating loving service daily. Opening the door for someone or helping them with a simple chore are two really easy ways to serve.

How will you serve someone today?