Reverend Simon Atkinson, Baptist Minister of Brixington Community Church and chaplain to Exeter Chiefs

I am reminded of the phrase that was first used by Martin Luther King in 1963 in his famous speech ‘I have a dream’. The phrase he used was ‘Let freedom ring’. I wonder if we will be able to say the same on July 19, ‘Let freedom ring’. We know that Covid-19 will still be about and there will be legislation around self-isolating if you contract the virus. But as more and more people receive their vaccinations the spread of this disease is going to become less effective. The government has coined the phrase ‘Freedom Day’ to mark the point at which legal restrictions around Covid-19 could be lifted. We have been waiting 16 months for this date to arrive. The vaccination programme is going well, and many people have received two jabs. The NHS has been amazing throughout this pandemic, being there when we have needed them the most. I wonder what you are looking forward to the most. Is it being able to go out and not wear a mask and not keeping to the two-metre social distancing rules? It might be you are looking forward to a summer holiday abroad or being able to go and watch your sports team play as stadiums open all their seating areas instead of having reduced capacity. There are some within our community who are wary about seeing all the rules relaxed so quickly. Especially with the wearing of masks in crowded or confined spaces. There are also those who cannot wait for the restrictions to be lifted, including many businesses particularly within the hospitality sector. As a church we are looking forward to being able to sing again together. When we talk about freedom it gives the connotation of being unfettered, not hindered, or oppressed. There will be those in our community who will not feel like celebrating ‘Freedom Day’ because the pandemic has come at a cost for them and their families. Especially with the loss of loved ones, or those suffering with lasting effects from the pandemic, out of work or those with financial problems that leaves a cloud over them. Many countries are still battling with the disease and so the freedom to travel around the world again will continue to be restricted for a while. Some, however, are venturing further afield into space with Richard Bransons’ new freedom! My prayer is that we will start to enjoy freedom again as restrictions are lifted but that everyone will play their part in keeping each other safe. May God grant you peace as the country opens up and we choose to be free!

There is a phrase that is used ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’. On one level this is true but on another it is not. The power of our words have the ability to build someone up or pull them down. Even when we speak about ourselves, for instance when we say ‘I cannot do that’ or ‘I am hopeless at this’. Speaking negatively about ourselves and/or others is not helpful. I have found over the last few months, especially during the pandemic, that some people think it is ok to put others down via online communications like Facebook, Twitter, or other forums. Just because they cannot see them, does not make it right. Negative language promotes negative action. Each of us has the ability to uplift someone or to destroy them. Unfortunately, seeing some of our politicians carry on, you would think that it does not matter what you say. When someone speaks positively about you, it can act as an encouragement and spur you on, for instance - ‘well done’, ‘you did a good job’, or ‘you look nice today’. Whereas negative words can have a negative effect which can cause low self-esteem and low self-worth. Did you know that it takes five positive comments to combat the effect of one negative comment. When we face a challenge, we can either see it as a problem or as an opportunity and our words can influence how we approach the challenge. The famous French Philosopher Rene Descartes is quoted as saying ‘I think, therefore I am’. So, if we speak positively, it promotes positive outcomes. In the book of James, from the bible, it uses a number of different illustrations to demonstrate the power of the tongue. One of its illustrations is that of a rudder of a large boat in comparison to the size of the boat. The rudder is small and yet it enables the skipper to pilot the vessel where he wishes. Our tongues are small and can make great boasts which can lead to disaster. The bible also talks about encouraging one another because when we do, we see people grow and their outlook can change from being negative to being positive. When we change our words, we have the potential to change a world. So instead of criticising others for their mistakes, let us look for the positives. We all make mistakes, and we all get it wrong at times and it is easy to look from the side-lines and be critical. I would love to encourage each of us to pause before we speak and use language that builds people up. Even saying thank you can be a form of encouragement. Why don’t you try it and see what happens?