Ed Skipper Read:  Matthew 28:19–20; Philippians 1:27;  :5–7 During this past year and a half, it has become very clear to me that there are certain things that the church can do that will serve God’s purposes, and certain things that we can do that will serve the devil’s purposes. In short, it is the devil’s purpose to distract us from our mission, divide us and discourage us (3Ds). The purpose of the church is to make disciples and we can easily be so distracted by the issues that confront us related to the coronavirus that we lose our focus on reaching people for Christ, building them up and equipping them for ministry (Matthew 28:19–20). God’s will is that we contend as one person for the gospel. Yet, opinions about masks, mandates and vaccines can become so important in our eyes that we begin to judge one another instead of loving one another and working together (Philippians 1:27). As this coronavirus season lingers on, we are tempted to get discouraged and lose heart, which is exactly what Satan would desire. One alternative to getting discouraged is to view this season as a time in which God is disciplining his children. Instead of asking when this is going to end, let’s ask if we are cooperating with how God is intending to shape us during this time (Hebrews 12:5–7). Let’s stay focused on mission, focused on Jesus and the unity that he brings and focused on how God is forming us. Let’s resist the temptation to get distracted, divided and discouraged. TIME FOR REFLECTION: Have you become distracted and lost sight of the mission to make disciples?Are you allowing COVID-19 issues to cause division among the members of the body of Christ?How are you cooperating with God’s training process and not giving into discouragement?