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Left Turns and Life Lessons

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A Humorous Take on DEI, Individual Empowerment, and the Journey to Purpose

Imagine a world where everyone takes the same left turns, eats the same lunch, and achieves success in precisely the same way. Sounds efficient, right? Sure—until you realize you’ve just signed up for the world’s most boring existence. The beauty of humanity isn’t found in forced uniformity but in God-given individuality. And yet, in today’s climate, it seems like we’re being told that our differences—rather than being gifts—are liabilities that need fixing.

That’s where I think modern DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) gets it wrong. Instead of celebrating unique talents, callings, and strengths, it often focuses on surface-level traits like skin color, gender, and identity markers—things God never uses to measure our worth. Deuteronomy 10:17 reminds us that “the Lord your God is… the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” If God doesn’t play favorites based on outward characteristics, why should we?

Let me take you on a journey—through business, filmmaking, and a little slice of my own life—to explore why true inclusion isn’t something that can be mandated, and why, as 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The Inclusion Paradox: When Inclusion Becomes Exclusion

DEI, in theory, is supposed to ensure that everyone has a fair shot. But when companies start prioritizing identity over skill, it creates the opposite of fairness. I’ve seen it happen—highly qualified candidates being overlooked because they don’t check the right demographic boxes. That’s not equality; that’s playing favorites, just with a new set of rules.

This isn’t a new problem. In Acts 10:34-35, Peter realized that “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.” In other words, it’s about what’s in your heart and how you live, not about the labels people attach to you.

I’ve also seen this forced sameness backfire in practical ways. Take firefighting, for example. Strength standards exist for a reason—not because one gender is “better” than another, but because when someone is trapped in a burning building, they need to be rescued by the strongest, fastest person available. If DEI policies lower those standards to accommodate quotas, we aren’t saving lives—we’re putting them at risk.

And what about career diversity? Why are we pushing the idea that certain paths are “correct” for everyone? Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” If God isn’t concerned with ranking people by status, why should we impose artificial hierarchies on career paths?

Real diversity comes not from enforcing outcomes but from allowing people to follow their unique calling.

Business and the Art of Letting People Be Who They Are

As a business owner, I’ve learned that every personality has a place in the puzzle.

Take one of my past employees—an extremely methodical person who avoided every left turn on her way home. She thrived on routine, took her break at exactly the same time every day, and did her job the same way, every time. At first, it drove me nuts. But then I realized something: she was the backbone of stability in my business. Her predictability allowed me to be the creative, big-picture thinker, knowing that the daily operations were handled with precision and consistency.

This made me appreciate 1 Samuel 16:7, where God reminds Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” At first glance, I thought I needed more “outside-the-box” thinkers, but in reality, I needed someone whose steadiness let me take risks.

This is real diversity—not the kind that forces an artificial balance, but the kind that values each person’s natural strengths and purpose.

Lessons from the Film Set: Learning vs. Entitlement

I’ve seen the power of real empowerment in my filmmaking workshops, where kids who don’t fit into a traditional classroom come alive through hands-on learning. They step into Adventure, where challenges push them beyond their comfort zone without overwhelming them. They engage their Imagination, working through problems with creative solutions and collaboration. And finally, they develop Honour, respecting both the process and the people who bring it to life.

What’s amazing is that every participant finds their place—not because it’s handed to them, but because they step into it.

This reminds me of Colossians 3:23-24, which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Success doesn’t come from quotas or forced inclusion, but from personal responsibility and diligence.

This is why DEI’s focus on equal outcomes is flawed. If we follow Proverbs 22:29, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings.” It’s competence, not identity, that brings opportunity.

Gratitude, Adaptability, and the Path to True Freedom

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s this: Gratitude and adaptability are inseparable. When we stop demanding the world change for us, and instead change our perspective and embrace challenges, we become stronger, freer, and more fulfilled.

Early in my career, I asked my manager, Andy, “What would you do without me?” He simply said, “No one is indispensable.” At the time, I was a little shocked—but that lesson has shaped everything I do. It taught me that the real value isn’t in being irreplaceable—it’s in constantly growing, learning, and contributing.

So, how do we foster real diversity, real equity, and real inclusion?

Celebrate individual strengths – like my left-turn-avoiding employee, whose consistency allowed me to be a creative risk-taker.
Respect the process – true success isn’t a handout, it’s a journey.
Stop forcing sameness – Isaiah 2:22 warns us, “Stop trusting in mere humans… Why hold them in esteem?” Human attempts to enforce fairness often do more harm than good.
Focus on gratitude and adaptability – Proverbs 11:1 reminds us, “The Lord detests dishonest scales.” Let people earn success through skill, effort, and integrity.

The Bottom Line: Embrace the Adventure, Not the Script

At the end of the day, God doesn’t call us to be identical—He calls us to be faithful. He doesn’t lower the bar to make life easier; He strengthens us to rise to the challenge. Success isn’t about being handed a role—it’s about stepping into your calling.

And if that calling leads you on a few left turns along the way? Well, sometimes those are the best detours of all.