Main idea:
Our significance is determined by Christ's call, not by our external situations. When we understand this it totally changes the way we view our life circumstances, and teaches us to embrace the challenges that surround us with faithfulness and hope.

Outline:
1. Christians often fall into the mistake of judging success and spirituality by external circumstances.
2. Our external circumstances are insignificant when it comes to our status in God's kingdom and among God's people.
3. Our external circumstances ARE significant because our life situations are assigned to us by God.
4. Accepting God's call on your life means working faithfully and diligently within the life circumstances that you are in.

Application questions:
• Have you truly considered the fullness of Christ's work for you? Do you feel a deep sense of belonging to God and his people because of what Jesus has done?
• Do you constantly try to improve your status with God by changing our life situation?
• Are you tempted to judge and rank people in the church around you based on their life situation?
◦ Learn to rest in the finished work of Jesus, who has made us all family in Jesus.
◦ Rejoice in the diversity of the church, this is a feature not a flaw.
• Are you tempted to escape from your current life situation? Or do you see it as a unique calling from God?
• Are you wasting your life? Or are you seeking to face your challenges and think biblically through them? Do you know what faithfulness looks like for you today?
◦ Take time to prayerfully think through your life, noting the most difficult and uncomfortable parts.
◦ Seek trusted friendships and input from people that you respect to help you be able to respond faithfully to the unique challenges you face.
◦ Understand that God has deep purpose for your specific challenges. Not a single detail in your life is random chance. And he wants to use your life to give hope to others.

Scripture References:
• 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
• Philemon 1:15-17
• 1 Peter 1:5-7
• 1 Corinthians 10:13

Key concepts:
• Membership in God's family
• Christ's finished work
• Calling
• Purpose in Difficulties
• Faithfulness
• Fruitfulness