You are not alone...

Hello, Carrie here... I’m currently in the final editing stages of my latest blog (“Love your neighbor as yourself”) but felt led to write a quick note to those in my Covenant Family during this time of the year.

We all feel it.  Those who have chosen to “come out of her” and be separate, dread the days ahead.  Knowing most our family and friends are knee deep in Babylonian festivities, we try our best to avoid the awkwardness that surrounds us. 

I too have felt that anguish when this time of year arrives.  My first year of “coming out of Babylon” was 2005 and I must admit, I was a huge Christmas fan.  I didn’t just jump in the holiday with both feet, I was totally immersed in the décor, songs, shopping, baking, you name it!  My entire home was layered with décor and trees.

So, you can probably imagine the shock of my family members.  Surely, they thought I went off the deep end and had lost my marbles.  Your family might have and could be responding in the same way mine did.  I did go through the steps of sharing why and what verses in Scripture led me to make that decision.  However, none of that seemed to matter.  I assumed they viewed my decision as abandoning my faith, my culture and my family traditions. That is where the awkwardness sets in, because you and I know the reason why we took these actions.  It is because of our growing faith and love for our Father and His Son that we chose to “clean house” – to remove anything in our lives that could be keeping us separated from Him. 

I’ve seen some correspondence from Covenant Family on social media saying they are alone during this time.  They are the only ones in their surroundings who have broken away from these traditions and have chosen to follow YHWH and serve Him according to His ways. 

I wanted to let everyone know, you are not alone! First, YHWH longs to see who will step out of the crowd and honor Him, especially during these times.  He is with us, always.  He never leaves, nor forsakes those who have a heart to please Him. 

“And it is YHWH who is going before you, He Himself is with you.  He does not fail you nor forsake you.  Do not fear nor be discouraged.”  Deut (Debarim) 31:8

“Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not look around, for I am your Elohim.  I shall strengthen you, I shall help you, I shall also uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.”  Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 41:10

“And those who know Your Name trust in You, for You have not forsaken those who seek You, O YHWH.”  Psalms (Tehillim) 9:10

Through the years, I’ve come to look at this time of year a bit differently.  Yes, the Christmas music still annoys me when I’m at a store and it stays in my head all day long!  It’s crazy how songs can infiltrate the mind.  I have to consciously think of a song praising YHWH to get it out of my head.  But besides the attempted distractions from the adversary, I see this time of year as another wonderful opportunity to prove our love to Yah.  It’s great when we tell Him how much we love Him, however it’s such a pleasure to be able to show Him. 

YHWH does try us, and He also refines us (Psalms 7:9/Zechariah 13:9).  What better way to be tried and refined than by being surrounded by paganism everywhere you turn and still demonstrate our love and commitment to our Elohim, YHWH.  Confirming to Him through our actions that we have chosen Him and not chosen this world.  Wow!  What a marvelous thing!  All He desires is a faithful bride and it’s such an honor to show our loyalty this time of year.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

It is also the perfect time to witness to others.  Share our story, let them know we too were immersed in the traditions of men.  We didn’t know any better, until we humbled ourselves and sought His ways.  Many will probably not accept it or listen, but the key is, we plant the seed.  We ask YHWH to speak for us and let the seed fall on whatever ground is set before us (Matthew/Mattithyahu 13:4-23).

So, to all my Covenant Family out there, take courage.  This is just one step in the dividing process.  Yahushua clearly states, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth, I did not come to bring peace but a sword, for I have come to bring division…” (Matthew/Mattithyahu 10:34,35).  While these words can be hard for some of us to swallow, it’s important that we trust His purpose of dividing. 

YHWH desires to fill His Kingdom and we desire to be included in it.  This life we live now is all just qodesh (set-apart) training for His Kingdom come.  Our decision to walk the lighted path (Torah) through honoring the weekly Sabbath, keeping His Appointed Times, eating clean, etc. is showing Him what side of the divided line we choose.  Not that we no longer love our families, but we just love Him more (Matthew/Mattithyahu 10:37-39) and we choose to follow His direction for our lives.  Our hope is to love our families through our walk.  Let them see Who we serve and why. 

While we are assured in the promises from YHWH that He is always with us, we can also know that there are others out there who are experiencing the same trials. 

“Humble yourselves, then, under the mighty hand of Elohim, so that He exalts you in due time, casting all your worry upon Him, for He is concerned about you.  Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in the belief, knowing that the same hardships are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”  1 Peter (Kepha) 5:6-9

These are our Covenant brothers and sisters scattered across the world and one day soon, we will all be gathered to our true home, the promised Covenant Land.  So, while we are currently experiencing His division, we can rest assured that it will all eventually lead to the uniting of His Covenant Family.

I look forward to that day when we all can be united under the banner of Yahushua.  We can praise His faithfulness and appreciate Him for the refining process and await His Kingdom come. 

“And in that day there shall be a Root of Yishai, standing as a banner to the people.  Unto Him the gentiles shall seek, and His rest shall be esteem.  And it shall be in that day that YHWH puts His hand again a second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, from Ashshur and from Mitsrayim, from Pathros and from Kush, from Eylam and from Shin’ar, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.  And He shall raise a banner for the nations, and gather the outcasts of Yisra’el, and assemble the dispersed of Yahudah from the four corners of the earth.”  Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 11:10-12

“Therefore, see the days are coming,” declares YHWH, “when they shall say no more, ‘As YWHW lives, who brought up the children of Yisra’el out of the land of Mitsrayim,’ but, ‘As YHWH lives who brought up and led the seed of the house of Yisra’el out of the land of the north and from the lands where I had driven them.’  And they shall dwell in their own land.”  Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu) 23:7,8

“And you shall know that I am YHWH – those who wait for Me shall not be ashamed.”  Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 49:23b
 
End Note:
I have gone into more detail of separating ourselves from this world and understanding repentance and our journey to YHWH in my book “Turn and be Saved”.  I’m giving out my book for free to whoever would like one.  I pray it’s a great tool for those on the journey and to encourage you to pass out and share with family and friends.  Just email me: [email protected] with your mailing address and I’ll send you a copy. :)