We all have our ups and downs, our highs and lows in life. Going from day to day we do not know what each day will hold or to what degree we will have joy, sorrow, or a mix of the two. We can be sure that we will experience those things through a variety of ways.

We can also be sure that there is Someone who will be with us though all our lows and sorrows as well as our ups and joys and everything in between. He is our source of help in dealing with all that we may experience. He comforts us in our times of need and makes our times of joy even better.

I am sure you know that I am talking about God. The assurance of His help and caring comes from His great loving work in sending His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus’ work in our world provides God’s greatest help in dealing with our greatest need. Jesus, as true God and true man, has come to our rescue. In that process He endured many highs and lows during His human life.

We are coming to the time we remember a great high in Jesus’ life and in about six weeks we remember His greatest low. On Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ transfiguration. That time shortly before His greatest low, he stood on a mountain in front of three disciples, Peter, James, and John. Then suddenly He was changed, becoming dazzling white, shining with His divine glory, talked with Moses and Elijah, and God’s voice came from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5b).

Then on our calendars comes Wednesday, Ash Wednesday. A day for acknowledging our sinfulness and our mortality. Truly one of our low days. This day also starts us on a 40 day journey of remembering Jesus’ lowest day; innocently suffering and dying on a cross. On that terrible day he accomplished our greatest deliverance. His death paid for all the sins of all people, reconciled all to God and open to all the gate of heaven and eternal life. Jesus declares such a victory by coming back to life.

In Jesus’ work we have our help not just for the future but as we go through life now. Even as scripture clearly proclaims, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

To know more about the help God gives us in dealing with the ups and downs of life, please visit or contact St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fredonia (672-6731 or stpaullcfredonia@outlook.com), Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gowanda (532-4342), or Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek (934-2002).