GIFTS

Romans 12: 3 – 8
We all have gifts, they are as different and varied as we are ourselves. I can't tell you what your gifts are, only God can help sort that out, unless they are on display, at which time you already know what they are. All I can say is that we all have to use the gifts that God has given us for his glory.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
The one thing that is always hard to predict, if we can predict at all, is when we will be called on to use these gifts. Today is a day when we remember what may be considered the most horrifying day in our country's history. In 2001, a group of terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes and used them as cruise missiles, causing great loss of life, and bringing us kicking and screaming into the war on terror.
Lisa Jefferson had an unexpected opportunity to be used by God to be used that day. Her now well-known 15-minute conversation with a passenger on United Flight 93 forever changed the direction of her life. In her book Called, she emphasizes that her listening skills and her ability to take charge and stay calm in a crisis were used to encourage fellow believer Todd Beamer in the last moments of his life.
She didn’t ask to be used that way. But God saw a woman who was available and matched her with someone who was in need. Lisa now shares her story with whomever she can to encourage believers to always be ready to serve.
We have to be always ready, always be willing, always be able, to use our gifts, at any time. We never know when we are to called upon to use them. If we are unwilling, God won't force us to use our gifts. As I said before we all have them, God equipped us with them, but he left it up to us to use them.
Ain't free will a kick in the rubber parts?

When you feel impelled to help fill a need, when you are inwardly driven to serve—listen to those thoughts. You don’t want to miss God’s call

In gladness I go forth each day

Expectantly to serve and claim

The happiness that service gives

When freely rendered in God’s name.

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary work.