Bible Question:
About 1.5 years ago I asked God to tell me what He wanted me to do. Then a thought entered my head that God wanted me to be a pastor or missionary. So I asked God to confirm this through a sign. Then I went to bed and I heard a loud bang. The entire house shuddered. I was the only one in the house who noticed it. Everyone else remained asleep. About twenty minutes later my miniature totem pole fell over. Then about thirty minutes after that I went to the kitchen to get something to eat and the oven was humming. As I turned to look at the oven a ball of fire flew out of it. It was as large as the oven itself. Several weeks later I saw crosses in unusual places. Now people are telling me that I need to get into volunteer work. Everything seems to be pushing me to become a pastor or missionary. Can you give me some advice? (This has been summarized from the author's submitted question.)
Bible Answer:
Your experience is unusual. Most of the events may be related. It is possible that your experience is easily explained. However, the answer to your question can be found in biblical principles and circumstances.
1st Biblical Principle
The most important principle in determining if God wants you to serve Him as a pastor or missionary is found in the answer to two questions, “Do you love God with all your heart?” and “Are you seeking an intimate relationship with God?” God’s great passion is that we love Him, want to know Him, and are seeking an intimate relationship with Him. After His return to life, Jesus’ first question to the Apostle Peter was, “Do you love me more than anything else?”
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (NASB) John 21:15
That is the ultimate question for anyone who is thinking about serving God in any way – pastor, elder, or missionary. Your desire should not be to become a pastor or a leader. Your desire should be to serve God. Your desire should be to serve Him in this way because you believe He wants you to do this. Your desire to do this should be driven by an inner desire to please your friend, the Lord Jesus.
2nd Biblical Principle
God has given us some divine principles to use in determining who should be a pastor or missionary. God’s first requirement is that the person must be a Christian. That is, this person must believe that Jesus is God, He died to forgive our sins, and only Jesus can forgive our sins. The person must also believe that he or she commits sins and want to stop. Christians call this repentance. God forgives those who are grieving over their sins. Jesus said that He did not come to save those who thought they were good people. He came to save those who believe they need God’s forgiveness.
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (NASB) Luke 5:32
3rd Biblical Principle
The second principle that God gives us to determine if we should become pastors is the opinion of others. Here is a question that you could ask, “Do others honestly believe that I qualify to be a good pastor or a missionary?” God wants a pastor or missionary to have certain character traits. He has given us a list of these character traits in 1 Timothy 3. There is another list in Titus 1.
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (NASB) 1 Timothy 3:2-7
I would encourage you to read a previous question and answer because it explains the meaning of each of these words and phrases. You could start by doing a self-evaluation. I would also encourage you to meet with a pastor and ask him how you measure up. Anyone who believes that God wants him to be a pastor or missionary will meet at least these basic qualifications. Your pastor should be able to help give you some guidance.
Conclusion:
I am concerned about the events you have experienced. It is possible that some demons are attempting to deceive you. Your circumstances are very unusual. I would encourage you to meet with a pastor and ask for some one-on-one help. May the peace, grace, and love of the Lord Jesus be with you.