7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”[b]" Ephesians 4:4-8
This passage has a list of Ones:
-- one Body of Believers
-- One Spirit
-- One Hope for Salvation
-- One Lord -- JESUS!
-- One Faith -- Christianity
-- One baptism
-- One God and Father
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7
Gifts are given by the Spirit as He sees fit. Think of the gifts as tools. Tools do do God's work with. We are given them individually -- we each have at least one. We have different gifts for a purpose. Manifestation -- display of the Spirit in each of us for the purpose of building up the Body and to bring the Body of Christ to maturity.
"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8
What you want might not be what God gives you. He gives us what the church needs.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
It's not about us. It's about Him.
The gift of Faith -- it is a deeper kind of faith, the kind that can bolster the whole body to believe.
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13
Roles for you?
We won't attain our full measure of maturity if we aren't fulfilling our roles. Gifts are tools so we can go to work.
"And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues." 1 Corinthians 12:28
It's not forced on us. He doesn't make us use the gifts He gives us. BUT we will be held accountable and responsible for what we did with what He gave us.
USE IT OR LOSE IT -- Do you want to hear:
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:23
OR
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 25:28-29
Once you start using your gift it will grow. And you need to refine it. Keep using it. Keep seeing it grow.
HOW TO DISCOVER AND CULTIVATE YOUR GIFT(S):
1. Pray about it -- seek revelation from God. Read His Word (and there are tons of surveys online to help you figure it out).
2. Ask someone else what they think your gifts are. Sometimes it can be seen easier from the outside than from the inside.
3. Keep everything in perspective. These are gifts from God (not talents). You aren't going to get rich or famous using these gifts. These are for God's purposes.
Develop your gift. Practice it.