Through the Lens of Eternity Podcast

It’s Not Medieval. It’s Evil.

Welcome to Through the Lens of Eternity, a space where we slow down and think biblically about the stories, events, and questions shaping the world around us. This isn’t about reacting to headlines with outrage. It’s not about politics. It’s not about fear. It’s about asking deeper questions. How should followers of Jesus think about the world around them? How should we respond to difficult events? And what changes when we keep one eye on eternity? Many of us will have seen the news regarding the horrific attack in Belfast this week. In response, one politician described the attack as “medieval”. Whilst I understand what he meant, I found myself thinking something different. It’s not medieval. It’s evil. Because the word medieval almost makes it sound like this kind of thing belongs to another age. A darker age. A less civilised age. A less educated age. As though violence is a problem humanity has left behind. But the reality is very different. We haven’t left violence behind. We’ve brought it with us. The Bible tells us the first murder happened almost immediately after humanity fell into sin. Cain murdered Abel. Brother killed brother. Not because society was undeveloped. Not because technology was lacking. Not because education had failed. But because sin had entered the human heart. Thousands of years later we still read the same headlines. The methods may change. The technology may change. The world may change. But the human heart remains remarkably similar. And that’s why I think the word evil is important. Because evil reminds us that the problem is not merely social. It’s spiritual. One of the challenges of modern life is that we often assume progress can solve everything. If we become more educated, more connected, more informed, and more advanced, then surely humanity will improve. And yet every week the news reminds us that something deeper is wrong. We have smartphones, artificial intelligence, instant communication, and medical breakthroughs. Yet violence remains. Hatred remains. Racism remains. Abuse remains. War remains. Technology has advanced enormously, but the human heart still needs redemption. Perhaps that is what stories like this expose. Not simply that bad things happen, but that humanity’s deepest problem cannot be solved by human effort alone. What’s also striking is how we experience these events today. Previous generations might have read about a violent incident in a newspaper the next day. Today we often see it immediately. Videos. Images. Commentary. Reactions. All appearing on our phones within minutes. Whilst there can be value in knowing what’s happening around the world, there is also a danger. We become desensitised. What would once have shocked us barely causes a reaction now. We scroll, pause briefly, and move on to the next thing. A violent attack. A celebrity story. A funny video. A sporting result. All appearing in the same feed. Something about that should concern us. Human suffering was never meant to become entertainment. The prophet Ezekiel records God’s promise: “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” What a beautiful image. A soft heart. A responsive heart. A heart that still grieves when people suffer. A heart that still mourns when violence occurs. A heart that refuses to become indifferent. As Christians, I think we need to guard our hearts carefully. Because it is possible to become so accustomed to evil that we stop being shocked by it. When that happens, something precious is lost. The Bible never treats evil casually. Jesus certainly didn’t. In Matthew 5, Jesus speaks about murder. Once again, He takes us deeper than the act itself. He points us towards the heart. Towards anger. Towards contempt. Towards the attitudes that eventually lead to destructive actions. Jesus understood something that modern society often forgets. The greatest problem facing humanity is not ultimately outside us. It’s inside us. That can be an uncomfortable truth because we prefer to believe evil belongs to other people. The violent people. The dangerous people. The criminals. But Jesus reminds us that every human heart needs transformation. Every human heart needs grace. Every human heart needs redemption. That doesn’t mean all sins are equal. It doesn’t mean anger and murder are identical. They are not. But it does mean that humanity’s deepest issues are spiritual. And that brings us to the hope of the gospel. Because Christianity does not simply diagnose the problem. It offers a solution. The Christian story is not that humanity will eventually fix itself. The Christian story is that Christ came to save a broken world. A world filled with violence. A world filled with hatred. A world filled with grief. A world very much like our own. And that’s why the promise of eternity matters so much. Every violent headline reminds us that this world is not yet what it should be. Every act of violence reminds us why Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come.” Every tragedy reminds us why we long for something greater. A world where evil no longer has the final word. A world where death no longer has the final word. A world where fear no longer has the final word. The Bible describes that future beautifully. In Isaiah 65, God says: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.” Think about that. Not merely improved circumstances. Not merely better governments. Not merely better technology. A completely renewed creation. Then Revelation gives us one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” No more stabbings. No more violence. No more grieving families. No more evil. Sometimes people ask why Christians talk so much about eternity. This is why. Because the headlines remind us every day that the world is not as it should be. And every headline should deepen our longing for Christ’s return. Not because we are escaping the world, but because we believe God will one day renew it. So how should we respond to stories like this? We should pray for those affected. We should refuse to become desensitised. We should guard our hearts against indifference. We should continue to call evil what it is. And we should remember that evil does not get the final word. One day Christ will return. One day justice will be complete. One day creation will be restored. And one day every trace of evil will be removed forever. Until then, we grieve, we pray, we stay soft-hearted, and we keep one eye on eternity. Amen Scripture References * Genesis 4:1-12 * Ezekiel 36:26 * Matthew 5:21-22 * Matthew 6:10 * Isaiah 65:17 * Revelation 21:4 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benorris1977.substack.com [https://benorris1977.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Does Football Matter So Much?

Welcome to Through the Lens of Eternity, a space where we slow down and think biblically about the stories, emotions, and conversations shaping the world around us. It’s about asking deeper questions. How should followers of Jesus think?How should we live?And what changes when we keep one eye on eternity? This week the Premier League season has come to an end. After a long wait, Arsenal are champions. But we see managers move on. Some clubs celebrate success. Others face disappointment. And then there’s relegation. One team survives and celebrates wildly, almost like they’ve won the league itself. Another club drops down and supporters are devastated. And if we’re honest, every season this happens. People become genuinely anxious. People lose sleep. People feel depressed. People’s moods rise and fall with results. And from the outside, it can seem strange. Because at one level we could say: It’s twenty two people kicking a ball around a field. Why does it matter so much? But perhaps that question misses something deeper. Because football has never really just been about football. It’s about belonging. It’s about identity. It’s about community. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself. Think about it. People wear the colours. Pass it on through generations. Travel long distances. Celebrate together. Cry together. Suffer together. When you hear people say things like: “We did it.” “We survived.” “We’re going down.” Even though they never kicked the ball. Because something much deeper is happening. People are attaching themselves to a story bigger than themselves. And I think the Bible helps explain why. Ecclesiastes says: “He has set eternity in the human heart.” That’s fascinating, because perhaps the reason people long to belong to something bigger is because God built us that way. Human beings were never designed to live isolated lives. We were made for: relationship, community, purpose, meaning We were made to belong. So, football itself isn’t the problem. Community isn’t the problem. Celebration isn’t the problem. Joy isn’t the problem. These things can be beautiful gifts. There is something wonderful about standing shoulder to shoulder with people from different backgrounds, different ages, different stories, all united around something they love. The church can learn from some of that. But there is also something we need to be careful about. Because good things can sometimes begin carrying a weight they were never designed to carry. Football can become more than entertainment. Success can become more than enjoyment. A club can become more than community. And suddenly identity becomes attached to something temporary. My joy rises with results. My peace rises with results. My emotional health rises with results. And that becomes a heavy burden for something temporary to carry. Because football seasons end. Managers leave. Players retire. Trophies gather dust. Relegation happens. Records get broken. None of it lasts forever. Hebrews says: “For here we do not have an enduring city.” Everything around us eventually changes, even the things we love. And perhaps this explains why disappointment in football can hurt so deeply. Because when something carries part of our identity, its loss feels personal. And we all do this in different ways. For some people it’s football. For others it’s work. Success. Relationships. Money. Status. We all attach ourselves to things hoping they will give us lasting meaning. But the Bible gently points us toward something deeper. In Isaiah God says: “I have called you by name, you are mine.” That’s powerful. Because our deepest identity was never meant to come from what we support, what we achieve, or what we belong to. It comes from God. And perhaps that’s why even the greatest sporting moments eventually fade. Because they were never meant to satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. They point towards something bigger. Maybe what people are really searching for through football is something football only gives in glimpses. Belonging. Joy. Shared purpose. Hope. Community. And those things ultimately point beyond sport itself. They point towards the Kingdom of God. Because in Christ we are invited into the greatest story of all. A family. A purpose. A community. A Kingdom that does not end. Living with one eye on eternity doesn’t mean we stop enjoying football. Enjoy it. Celebrate. Feel the joy of victory. Feel the disappointment of defeat. But remember where your deepest identity rests. Because no club can carry the weight of your soul. No trophy can satisfy eternity. No result can define your worth. Only Christ can do that. So maybe the question this week isn’t: “Why do people care so much about football?” Maybe the deeper question is: “What does football reveal about what we’ve all been looking for?” Let’s pray Lord God, Thank You for the gifts of joy, community, and belonging. Thank You for the things we enjoy and celebrate together. Help us to enjoy them without making them ultimate. Teach us to find our deepest identity and security in You. And remind us that the things of this world may come and go, but Your Kingdom lasts forever. Help us to keep one eye on the present and one eye on eternity. Amen. Scripture References Ecclesiastes 3:11Hebrews 13:14Isaiah 43:1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benorris1977.substack.com [https://benorris1977.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Working Hard, But Still Feeling Behind

Welcome to Through the Lens of Eternity, a space where we slow down and think biblically about the stories, tensions, and pressures shaping the world around us. This isn’t about reacting to headlines with fear or outrage. It’s about asking deeper questions. How should followers of Jesus think?How should we live?And what changes when we keep one eye on eternity? This week I was reading reports about wages in the UK. Pay is still increasing, but more slowly than before, and many economists are warning that financial pressure is continuing for households across the country. And I think many ordinary people already know that without needing economists to tell them. Because even when people are working hard, many still feel stretched. Bills feel high.Food costs more.Housing feels expensive.And for some people, there never seems to be much left at the end of the month. And perhaps one of the most exhausting feelings in modern life is this: Working hard, but still feeling behind. You do the right things. You work, you budget, you try to be responsible. And yet anxiety still creeps in. Pressure still builds. And rest can feel difficult to find. In Haggai 1, the prophet says: “You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” That image feels incredibly relevant. Money comes in. And somehow it disappears just as quickly. Now of course, work itself is not a bad thing. Work has dignity. From the very beginning of creation, human beings were created to cultivate, build, create, and contribute. Colossians says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Work matters, faithfulness matters, responsibility matters. But the Bible also warns us about something else. The danger of believing that work alone will finally give us peace. Because modern culture says. If you work harder, earn more, achieve more, then eventually you’ll feel secure. Eventually you’ll feel settled and you’ll feel like you have enough. But many people are discovering that doesn’t always happen. Even with more income, anxiety can remain. Even with more success, pressure can remain. Even with constant striving, contentment can still feel distant. Ecclesiastes says: “Whoever loves money never has enough.” That’s not simply talking about greed. It’s talking about the endless human tendency to believe that just a little bit more will finally satisfy us. And perhaps that’s why so many people feel tired. Not just physically but also spiritually and emotionally. Because striving can become exhausting. Psalm 127 says: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat.” That doesn’t mean work is meaningless. It means anxious striving is not where peace is found. And this is where Jesus speaks so powerfully into modern life. In Matthew 11 He says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That verse hits differently when people feel pressured. Because Jesus recognises something about humanity. People carry heavy burdens. Financial burdens.Emotional burdens.The burden of trying to keep up.The burden of constantly worrying about the future. And Jesus offers something deeper than temporary relief. He offers rest for the soul. Now that doesn’t mean Christians never struggle financially. It doesn’t mean bills disappear or pressure suddenly vanishes. But it does mean our identity is no longer tied completely to productivity, income, or financial success. And that changes how we carry pressure. Because if our worth comes from work alone, we will never fully rest. There will always be more to achieve, more to earn, more to prove. But Scripture reminds us that our value comes first from being loved by God. Not from our salary, not from our status, not from how successful we appear to others. And living with one eye on eternity reshapes all of this. Because eternity reminds us that life is bigger than accumulation, bigger than income, bigger than constant striving. Jesus says: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” That’s a sobering question. Because it reminds us that it’s possible to succeed outwardly while becoming exhausted inwardly. So how should we respond in a time where many people feel financial pressure? First, we work faithfully. Scripture values diligence, responsibility, and hard work. Second, we guard our hearts. We don’t allow money, pressure, or comparison to become our identity. Third, we learn contentment. Not pretending everything is easy. But learning to trust God in every season. And finally, we remember eternity. Because this world constantly tells us to chase more. But the Kingdom of God invites us to something different. Peace.Rest.Trust.Perspective. And perhaps that’s the real challenge in modern life. Not simply learning how to earn more. But learning how to live with peace while the world constantly tells us we never have enough. So this week, if you feel tired… If you feel stretched… If you feel like you’re working hard but still carrying pressure… Remember this. Your value is not measured by your income. Your worth is not determined by your productivity. And your peace does not have to rise and fall with your circumstances. Because Christ offers rest in a restless world. And that changes everything. Let’s pray Lord God, You see the pressures people carry every day. You see the anxiety, exhaustion, and striving that so many feel. Help us to work faithfully without losing peace. Teach us to find our identity in You rather than in success or financial security. Give rest to weary hearts. And help us to live with wisdom, gratitude, and trust, as we keep one eye on the present and one eye on eternity. Amen. Scripture References Haggai 1:6Colossians 3:23Ecclesiastes 5:10Psalm 127:2Matthew 11:28Matthew 16:26 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benorris1977.substack.com [https://benorris1977.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Fairness Matters So Much to Us

Welcome to Through the Lens of Eternity, a space where we slow down and think biblically about the stories, tensions, and conversations shaping the world around us. This isn’t about reacting to headlines with outrage or fear. It’s about asking deeper questions. How should followers of Jesus think?How should we respond?And what changes when we keep one eye on eternity? This week I read a story that caused me to react quite strongly. The discussion was around benefit payments linked to a small number of legally recognised overseas polygamous marriages. My response was “How is that fair?” Especially in a country where polygamy is not legally recognised marriage. And if we’re honest, most of us understand that reaction instinctively. Because fairness matters deeply to human beings. We want consistency.We want equal treatment.We want things to make sense. And when they don’t, something in us reacts strongly. You see it in children almost immediately. “That’s not fair.” And strangely, we never really grow out of it. The truth is, fairness shapes far more of our emotions than we often realise. It affects: * how we see money * opportunity * relationships * politics * work * even how we see God at times And the Bible speaks into this more than we might think. One of the clearest examples is in Matthew 20, where Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some work all day, others work only an hour, and at the end, they all receive the same pay. And immediately, the workers who laboured all day become angry. Not because they were treated badly. But because someone else received more generosity than they thought was fair. That story reveals something powerful about the human heart. We are constantly comparing. Constantly measuring. Constantly evaluating what others receive compared to us. And moments like this week’s headline expose that instinct very quickly. People think: Why should that happen?Why should those rules apply differently?Why should someone receive more support when the lifestyle itself sits outside the legal and cultural norm of this country? Those are real questions. And pretending they don’t exist doesn’t help anyone. At the same time, the Bible also reminds us that human beings do not always see clearly. Sometimes what we call justice is actually resentment. Sometimes what we call principle is comparison. And sometimes our reactions reveal more about our hearts than the situation itself. That’s why Proverbs says: “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” That’s challenging. Because we live in a culture that rewards outrage. Immediate reactions.Instant anger.Constant offence. But Christians are called to respond differently. Not passively. Not without conviction. But thoughtfully. Wisely. Prayerfully. And this is where we also need to speak clearly about biblical conviction. Because while the Bible records polygamy in several places, it consistently points back to God’s created order for marriage. Faithful covenant.One man and one woman. And many of the stories involving polygamy in Scripture are marked by rivalry, division, jealousy, and pain. The Bible is often brutally honest about the consequences of human choices. So it’s understandable that Christians may feel tension when policies appear to sit outside those convictions. That tension is real. And Christians should not feel pressured to abandon biblical beliefs in order to sound compassionate. Truth matters. Conviction matters. But how we carry those convictions matters too. Because Christians are not called to become people constantly fuelled by outrage. We are called to become people shaped by wisdom. Ecclesiastes says: “There is a time and a way for everything.” That includes how we respond to difficult issues. Not every emotional reaction is a wise reaction. And perhaps this is where the deeper challenge lies. Because stories like this don’t just reveal debates about policy. They reveal what is happening inside us. Do I trust God when things feel unfair? Can I hold conviction without becoming bitter? Can I care about truth without losing grace? Can I engage with society without becoming consumed by anger? Those are spiritual questions. Not just political ones. And living with one eye on eternity changes how we carry them. Because eternity reminds us that perfect justice does not ultimately come through governments, systems, or public policy. It comes through God. Isaiah says: “He will judge with righteousness.” That matters. Because it reminds us that God sees perfectly. Far more clearly than we do. And that frees us from becoming overwhelmed by every headline. We can care deeply. Think seriously. Hold convictions honestly. But still remain steady. Because our hope is not in perfect systems. Our hope is in a perfect King. So this week, perhaps the real question is not simply: “Is this fair?” But: “How do I respond faithfully when something feels unfair?” Because followers of Jesus are called to something deeper than outrage. We are called to wisdom. Conviction. Grace. And perspective. Let pray. Lord God, Help us to respond wisely in a world full of strong opinions and emotional reactions. Teach us to hold truth with humility and conviction with grace. Guard our hearts from bitterness, comparison, and outrage. And help us to trust that You are perfectly just, even when the world feels confusing. As we navigate difficult conversations, help us keep one eye on the present and one eye on eternity. Amen. Scripture References Matthew 20:1–16Proverbs 12:16Ecclesiastes 8:6Isaiah 11:4 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benorris1977.substack.com [https://benorris1977.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Voting with Faith and a Clear Conscience

Welcome to Through the Lens of Eternity This week, across the UK, people will head to the polls to vote in the local elections. For many, it’s routine.For others, it feels insignificant.And for some, it raises real questions. Does my vote even matter?How should I decide who to vote for?And as a Christian, what does it even mean to vote well? Because voting is not just a political act, It’s a moral one. It reflects what we value. What we prioritise. What we believe matters for our communities. And so the question becomes: How do we approach this, not just as citizens, but as followers of Jesus? The Bible doesn’t speak directly about modern democracy. But it does speak deeply about leadership, responsibility, and the heart. One of the most striking moments comes in 1 Samuel 8. The people of Israel come to Samuel and say: “Give us a king to lead us.” At first glance, it seems reasonable. They want structure, security & leadership like the nations around them. But God says: “They have rejected me as their king.” In other words, their request wasn’t just about leadership. It was about trust. They were placing their hope in a human solution instead of God. And what follows is sobering. God allows them to have what they ask for. But He also warns them what that kind of leadership will bring. Power misused, pressure on people, disappointment. It’s a powerful reminder. Getting what we want politically does not always lead to what we need spiritually. So what does that mean for us as we approach an election? First, we recognise that no candidate is ultimate, that no party is perfect & no outcome will fully reflect the Kingdom of God. Psalm 146, as we have read before says: “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” That doesn’t mean leadership doesn’t matter, but it does mean it has limits. Second, we take our responsibility seriously. Voting is one of the ways we seek the good of where God has placed us. Jeremiah 29 says: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” So voting is not just about personal preference. It’s about the wellbeing of others. For our communities, the vulnerable, the future. Third, we vote prayerfully. James says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…” And that applies here. Because decisions are not always simple. Issues are complex. And no option will feel perfect. So we bring it before God, we ask for wisdom. For clarity. For a right heart. Fourth, we vote with a clear conscience. Romans 14 speaks about acting in faith and conviction. “Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” That means we don’t just follow noise. We don’t just react emotionally. We think carefully. We weigh things. And we act in a way that we believe honours God. And that also means we show grace to others. Because not every Christian will land in the same place. And that’s important. Unity in Christ does not require uniformity in every decision. Fifth, we keep perspective. Because it’s easy to feel like everything depends on the outcome. But it doesn’t. Daniel reminds us: “He deposes kings and raises up others.” God is still at work, regardless of results. And that brings us back to eternity. Because no election is ultimate. No result defines the future completely. No political party replaces the Kingdom of God. Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world.” That does not mean this world doesn’t matter. It means it’s not where our ultimate hope lies. So we engage, we care, we vote. But we do not place ultimate trust in the outcome. Because our hope is not in who is elected. Our hope is in Christ. And it’s important to say this as well. Not everyone listening or reading this will be voting this week. Some of you are living here, part of the community, part of the church, contributing in so many ways, but you’re not eligible to vote. Others are listening from completely different countries, watching this from the outside. And it could be easy to feel like this conversation doesn’t really include you. But biblically, that’s not true. Because influence in God’s Kingdom has never been limited to a ballot. In 1 Timothy 2, we are called to pray for those in authority, and that was written to people who had no vote at all. No political power, no formal influence, yet their role was clear. To pray. To intercede. To seek God for the place they were living. And as we read in Jeremiah 29, God speaks to people in exile and says: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… pray to the Lord for it.” So whether you’re voting this week or not, whether you’re here in the UK or listening from somewhere else, you are not on the sidelines. You still have a part to play. Through prayer. Through faithfulness. Through seeking the good of where God has placed you. Because God’s work is not limited by borders, or dependent on systems. He works through His people, wherever they are. So this week, as people head to the polls, we don’t disengage. And we don’t idolise the process either. We participate faithfully, prayerfully, thoughtfully. Seeking the good of others, acting with integrity, and keeping one eye on eternity. Lets pray, Lord God, Thank You for the responsibility we have to take part in shaping our communities. Give us wisdom as we make decisions. Help us to think clearly, act justly, and love mercy. Guard our hearts from placing too much hope in human systems. And remind us that You are the true King. Help us to live faithfully in this moment, with one eye on the present and one eye on eternity. Amen. Scripture References 1 Samuel 8:5–7Psalm 146:3Jeremiah 29:7James 1:5Romans 14:5Daniel 2:21John 18:36 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit benorris1977.substack.com [https://benorris1977.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]