We understand the weight of this decision before you, and we are grateful you are seeking God’s will above all else. It is clear you are weighing two very different but equally meaningful paths—both with opportunities for spiritual growth, service, and provision. The fact that you are praying and seeking counsel shows a heart that desires to honor the Lord, and that is commendable.
First, let us address the foundation of your request: you closed with *"in Jesus’ Name,"* which is vital. There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved, and it is only through Christ that we have access to the Father. *"Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me’* (John 14:6, WEB). *"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"* (1 Timothy 2:5, WEB). This acknowledgment is crucial, and we rejoice that you recognize the authority of Jesus in this decision.
Now, let us examine both options through the lens of Scripture. The apostle Paul reminds us, *"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"* (1 Corinthians 10:31, WEB). Both options you’ve presented have potential to glorify God, but we must pray for discernment to see which aligns most closely with His specific will for you *right now*.
**Option One** offers stability—medical care, a solid church, proximity to your father, and the ability to focus on healing and personal growth. There is wisdom in stability, especially when it allows you to *"seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness"* (Matthew 6:33, WEB). The church you describe sounds like a place where you can be fed spiritually, and the fact that you are near your father is not insignificant. Scripture calls us to honor our parents (Ephesians 6:2), and being present for family can be a form of ministry in itself. Additionally, you mention the opportunity to evangelize, whether solo or with others from the church. This is noble, as we are all called to *"go and make disciples of all nations"* (Matthew 28:19, WEB). However, we must ask: Is this option simply *comfortable*, or is it where God is calling you to *labor* for this season? Comfort is not inherently wrong, but the Lord often stretches us beyond it for His purposes.
**Option Two** is a leap of faith—a full-time job near a church that is actively engaged in evangelism, missions, and discipleship. This sounds like a place where the Great Commission is being lived out with urgency. The delay in medical benefits is a concern, but we know that *"my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 4:19, WEB). The question here is whether this step is being led by the Spirit or by the excitement of opportunity. *"A man’s heart plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps"* (Proverbs 16:9, WEB). If this is where God is leading, He will provide—even in the waiting. But we must also consider: Is the timing right? Are you physically and spiritually prepared for the demands of this new environment? Sometimes, the Lord calls us to *prepare* in the quiet before He sends us into the harvest.
One thing we must gently address is the urgency you feel. You mentioned *"wisdom needed—soon!"* While we understand the pressure of deadlines, we must remember that *"unless the Lord builds the house, they who build it labor in vain"* (Psalm 127:1, WEB). Rushing ahead of God’s timing can lead to unnecessary struggle. At the same time, hesitation out of fear is not faith. So we must pray for clarity: *Is this urgency from the Lord, or is it from the enemy seeking to pressure you into a decision that isn’t aligned with God’s best?*
Another consideration is your health. You mentioned meeting with doctors and surgeons, which suggests that your physical well-being is a factor. *"Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s"* (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, WEB). Your health is not separate from your calling. If Option Two would place undue strain on your body before you’ve had a chance to address medical needs, that is something to prayerfully weigh. Conversely, if God is calling you to trust Him in a new way regarding your health, He will make that clear.
Lastly, let us consider the *fruit* of each option. Option One allows for deep roots in a local church, personal healing, and steady evangelism. Option Two offers immersion in a missions-minded community with structured outreach. Both are good, but which one will bear *eternal* fruit in this season of your life? *"I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing"* (John 15:5, WEB). Where will you be most *connected* to the Vine? Where will you be most *effective* for the Kingdom?
Let us pray together over this:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus, seeking Your will for our brother in this critical decision. Lord, You are not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). We ask that You remove any anxiety or haste that is not from You and replace it with Your perfect peace. Give him clarity of mind and a sensitive spirit to discern Your voice above all others.
Father, we thank You for the stability of Option One—the provision of medical care, the solid church, and the opportunity to be near family. If this is where You want him, Lord, confirm it in his heart. Show him how to use this season to grow deeper in You, to heal, and to serve faithfully right where he is. Open doors for evangelism, and raise up brothers and sisters from that church to labor alongside him.
But Lord, if Option Two is Your call—a step into a place of greater Kingdom impact—then we ask for supernatural provision. Provide for his medical needs even in the waiting. Strengthen his body and give him favor in this new job. Surround him with godly mentors and fellow laborers who will sharpen him and spur him on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Make it abundantly clear if this is the path You have prepared for him.
Lord, we rebuked any fear of missing out or fear of the unknown that may be clouding his judgment. We declare that *"perfect love casts out fear"* (1 John 4:18, WEB), and we ask that Your love would fill him as he seeks Your face. Remove any distraction or worldly influence that would pull him away from Your best.
Father, we also pray for his physical health. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals. Whether he stays or goes, we ask that You restore his body and give him strength. Let his health not be a stumbling block but a testimony of Your faithfulness.
Most of all, Lord, we pray that Your will be done—not his own, not the will of man, but *Yours alone*. Let him not lean on his own understanding but acknowledge You in all his ways, knowing that You will direct his paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We ask all this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, as you wait for the Lord’s answer, we encourage you to spend time in fasting and prayer. Seek the counsel of mature believers—perhaps your pastor or a trusted mentor—who can speak into this decision. *"Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established"* (Proverbs 15:22, WEB). Pay attention to the peace of God in your spirit. *"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful"* (Colossians 3:15, WEB). If one option brings a deep, unshakable peace, that is often the Lord’s confirmation.
Finally, remember that God is not limited by your choice. If you seek Him wholeheartedly, He will guide you. *"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight"* (Proverbs 3:5-6, WEB). Whether you stay or go, commit to serving Him faithfully. The location may change, but the mission remains the same: to glorify God and make disciples.
We are standing with you in prayer. May the Lord’s will be clear, and may you walk in bold obedience to whatever He calls you.