When we were newlyweds, my husband and I went to an out-of-town wedding for one of his friends. I can’t remember what town we were in or even whose wedding it was. But I vividly remember a conversation I had at the reception. It has stuck with me and given me hope for almost 25 years.

When we entered the wedding reception, my husband found a table with some of his long-time friends. We sat down and immediately started chatting with the couple next to us. I had only been introduced to this couple previously, so I didn’t really know them. But like Jesus did with the wine at the wedding at Cana, He aged our friendship as if we’d been friends for years.

Again, I don’t remember many details from that night except that we were talking about faith in Jesus and that I was thoroughly enjoying the conversation. At one point, the husband of the couple said, “Everyone will utter the same two words when they get to Heaven. Do you know what those two words are?” I remember trying to guess in my head, but nothing seemed significant enough. I couldn’t remember any scripture talking about what we will say when we get to Heaven. And I couldn’t come up with anything grand enough, so I just waited with bated breath. He finally broke the silence.

He said every believer when face-to-face with Jesus will respond, “Of course!”

I certainly wasn’t expecting that answer, but the more I pondered it, the more it made sense. When the truth of all history is revealed, “Of course,” will be the only sufficient response. When we finally see clearly what we’ve only been able to see dimly, every day since Adam and Eve will make sense.

In the almost 25 years since, I’ve thought about this conversation often as a source of comfort and hope. We will see the fallen world we live in through His perfect prism. There hasn’t been a moment in history that has been out of His control, and Our Father has sifted every grain of sand in every hourglass.

“Of course.” Death loses its sting. The betrayals that gutted us on earth will be seen as necessary shedding. The heartaches will be as though they were healing. Not that hurts on this earth aren’t painful – they are – but they will have a reckoning and be made right in Heaven. And I can’t wait. My mind can hardly fathom, but my heart waits in eager anticipation. I especially look forward to Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Death, hurt, fear, anxiety, and sorrow have no place in Heaven. 

But we can walk confidently now in all the Lord has already shown us of His sovereignty. His Word is full of His promises and the truth that He is sovereign over every single human decision:

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations” (Psalm 33:11).

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines His steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

“My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

Discussing God’s sovereignty, John Piper says he believes this next sentence from Genesis should be written like a banner over every evil and sin that’s ever been committed: “’As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, and they are today,’” (Genesis 50:20). No sin committed against us ever has the last say. Piper adds, “God never does anything or allows anything whimsically – that is, in a meaningless way or randomly or without an infinitely wise purpose.” We may not get the full understanding until Heaven, but we will get it.

Even now, on this side of Heaven, I’m old enough to see the things in my own life that didn’t make sense at the time now have the unmistakable fingerprints of the Lord on them. What a foretaste of what is to come when everything is righteously resolved and we can see everything with true eyes.

When we see Him face-to-face, we will see that His every decision was right and good. We will see evil might have won some battles, but it has never known victory (and never will). We will see everything that was sad has been made untrue. We will look back on our family tree in awe as we review every generation that He protected to get to us to our first breath. We will see every hardship for the shaping tool it was in our lives. We will see how even our favorite color played a role in who God created us to be – and that it was He who chose that color for us. We will see that every day of history played out for our good and His glory – just like He said it would. We will see and agree with everything. Everything will make sense. Everything will receive a hearty “Amen.” Because… of course.

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your Word and that we can trust You with everything – our past, our present, and our futures. Nothing escapes Your attention. Even now we see how sin tried to overtake our lives, but You have overcome every sin with the blood of Jesus. Thank You for loving us and giving us a part to play in Your glorious plan. We love You, too. Our hope is only in You. Praise Your Holy Name. Maranatha! Amen.