This spontaneous conversation took place while driving with a 22-year-old engineering graduate I would like to call him seeker. The topic shifted towards eating habits:

Seeker: Do you eat different types of non-veg?

Generally, I eat three types: mutton, chicken, and fish. Look, there’s a vehicle ahead with “Baadshaah” written on it.

Seeker: Do you mean Shahrukh Khan, the actor, or the rapper named Baadshaah? (Both are referred to as “Baadshaah”)

The name is written twice, so maybe both. I remember a time when I was researching reincarnation years ago. My friend and I got caught in the rain. On our way back to Jhansi, we came across a mutton shop named ‘Meat Ka Baadshaah.’ We ate there while completely soaked.

Seeker: What did you discover during your research on reincarnation?

Oh, that? Well, over time, the boy I was investigating revealed more information. Although he shared some details, not all villagers believed him. Some crucial information was beyond his grasp. Philosophically, it’s quite a challenging concept to believe in.

what’s your perspective on what happens after this life?

Seeker: I think of heaven or hell.

And what do you think determines the judgment?

Seeker: I believe it’s based on the balance between good and bad deeds.

If that’s the case, then according to this logic, even that so-called “God-man” should have been spared by a court of law because his good deeds supposedly outweighed the bad. But let me pose this scenario: Imagine a person who has committed numerous good deeds but also one bad deed. Now, they plea with the judge to spare them due to their abundance of good deeds. What do you think a fair judge would do?

Seeker: The judge wouldn’t spare them. This way, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to attain heaven.

Precisely, as we’ve all done wrong.

Seeker: Maybe there’s a different kind of judgment in heaven.

Let me ask you this: How do you clean a dirty table?

Seeker: You wipe it with a cloth.

Would you agree that a dirty thing cannot clean itself?

Seeker: Yes

So, the one who can cleanse us must be perfect and without sin.

Seeker: I agree.

Consider this analogy: if you’ve damaged your relationship with your mother due to a mistake, how can you mend it?

Seeker: Through forgiveness.

Now, let’s say you borrowed a large sum from a friend which you can’t repay. Your friend decides to cancel the debt, saying he cares about you. You got off free, but someone had to pay the cost. Who was it?

Seeker: My friend.

Would you agree that the one who forgives is the one who pays the cost?

Seeker: Yes.

Similarly, I believe that Jesus paid the cost for our sins through his crucifixion. I anticipate going to heaven not because of my own goodness, but because of God’s kindness.

So, it’s not about earning points for heaven, but rather performing selfless acts of kindness.

Seeker: Exactly, and that’s what I appreciate. (At this point, we arrived at our destination.)

We’ll pick up this conversation later.

Note: Let me share that I pray to have at least one conversation like this every week, if not every day. These opportunities seem to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and we should embrace them wholeheartedly.