By Ashlie Miller

On Wednesday morning, I woke to the crashing waves. A blue tidal wave, some even call it. For some, this wave felt like a refreshing tide coming in to resettle the shore. For others, the wave crashed their very hope. Delight or despair, every scroll through posts or podcast soundbites reflected one or the other.

What if things didn’t end up the way you voted? With every election, someone threatens to move to another county, state, or country, but then, there is a world of other uncertainties in that, too. Having a solid foundation means the house doesn’t have to relocate every time the wind blows too hard. Did an election damage one’s personal foundation – one’s hope and sense of security? Maybe it is time for a foundation check.

I know many Christians and Republicans in general are upset by the outcome of this week’s elections. Some see a greater storm on the horizon. Time will tell. What now? Does this mean strengthening the political base for the next round? Maybe. But what does it mean for day-to-day life at home and in the marketplace?

I think it’s worthwhile for Christians to look back in history, way back, long before America was founded or even a dream. Long ago, the Jews became exiles in Babylon, a long way from home, both literally and figuratively. Rather than rebel, they were told to build homes and raise families, plant a garden, and pray for the city (see Jeremiah 29 in the Bible for context). They were establishing roots because they would remain there for a while. “Bloom where you’re planted,” I recall, was imprinted on a potted plant I was gifted at a church where my husband and I served early in our marriage.  Many so-called prophets promised the Jews a false hope of a soon return to their homeland. The LORD said otherwise. You’ve likely seen mugs, journals, and keychains with a quote from Jeremiah 29:11 about promises and plans for a future hope, but this promise came while they were building lives as exiles in captivity.

Don’t forget that political power is only temporary, but Christian faithfulness is an ongoing calling. One can still faithfully serve while maintaining convictions. Daniel in Babylon is a prime example. A candidate’s election status does not warrant a pass on one’s responsibility to home, neighbors, and community. Communities can still flourish, and one’s work need not stop. Indeed, showing up daily and working for the common good is more important if you feel the future is compromised.

Red waves or blue waves, outcomes like these often lead many to resentment. Is that a way to steward the coming days, months, and years? It is easy to tell others to pray for my favored politician when they are in office; it is another thing to pray for those for whom I didn’t vote. Praying for someone does not mean agreeing with them, but it can show my trust in God’s purposes beyond my own understanding. Praying for leaders does not mean asking God to remove them from office by any means necessary or making all their efforts fail. I could pray that God does something to them or stops them and miserably wait for the answer I want. But a more successful prayer can be, “God, how do you want me to live, and what do you want me to do in this season?” That’s a prayer where we can see the answer unfold before us.

Regardless of how I view the tide that came in, it should not stop my efforts to grow and cultivate my home and community. It should not stop my commitment to pray for my leaders and serve faithfully, yet without compromise.

Ashlie Miller lives in Concord, NC with her family.