With all the presidential, political hoopla that’s been taking place over the recent months, I’ve personally begun to tire of seeing this candidate and that candidate. While I am by no means a politically minded individual, the future of our nation now hangs in the balance (yeah, sounds like a superhero movie, right?). But, it’s the truth. And what we really need now is for a real, honest to goodness superhero to fly in and save the day. Right now, it doesn’t seem like that will be the case. Regardless of what your political affiliation is, you can’t deny that it really is time for a change. It’s time for something to happen, and it’s time for something…different.

Let’s play a game. Just like people sit, dream and make lists of their ideal mate, let’s make a list of our ideal political candidates. For starters, my ideal candidate would listen before speaking. Regardless of who is speaking, what his/her agenda is or where he/she comes from, my candidate would listen to every word before forming a conclusion.

My ideal candidate would not mudsling. As difficult as it is for us not to retaliate when someone trash talks us, I would like to see someone who does not give in to the temptation of biting back. It’s like the famous passage in Matthew 5:39 says, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to handle irritating and troubling people; now, we just have to take it to heart.

My ideal candidate would work to help. And I mean legitimately help. None of this smoke and mirrors, get them off my back or placate them business. I want a candidate who is ready to roll up his/her sleeves, dive in and make a change. As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

If we want something to change, we can’t be afraid to go for it and fix it, even if the rest of the world is against us. This is the attitude I want in my candidate.

My ideal candidate will also have a heart full of compassion and love. This may sound obnoxiously cheesy, I know, but you cannot be a leader and be cold as ice. You have to be able to empathize and sympathize with people in need, people who are hurting and people who have lost their way. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” We show the love of Christ most in our daily actions, rather than our words.

My ideal candidate cannot be afraid to admit he/she is wrong. Those in a leadership position will be blamed for much and thanked for little; that’s just the way it is. When the blame does fall on you, take it like a man/woman. If you are the reason it went wrong, fess up and make it right. If you aren’t the one who messed it up, fix it anyway and move on. This is a lesson that everyone needs to learn, especially those in a leadership position.

My final attribute, I’ll admit, is a little silly, but I think it’s important for someone in charge of the wellbeing of the nation. My ideal candidate needs to be able to have fun. The stress of being the leader of the nation can weigh heavily on one’s shoulders, so being able to let off some steam, cut loose and let your hair down is a necessity. It’s just good for your overall mental health, as well as physical. I can’t imagine working with someone or for someone who did not know how to have fun. Yes, for everything there is a season. A time to laugh and a time to be serious…but come on! You know that a life without laugher is just plain boring.

As I said earlier, I am by no means a politically minded individual, and I really consider myself to be quite dumb on the matter. But these are attributes that I think most people could get behind. Until this masked hero comes to the forefront, I will be behind the scenes praying like there’s no tomorrow. The Lord has already decided who will receive this honor, and until that person comes into office, I will continue to search for my ideal candidate.