I recently reflected on how young people are treated in society.
Their views and ideas are often overlooked by adults, who do not recognise their value.
As a young person, in my final year of A-levels, I regularly feel patronised by those senior to me, who believe their age and experience allows them to disregard my ideas.
To achieve positive change in our society, we need to encourage young people to bring forward their ideas and be actively involved.
Jesus teaches us that only through finding the child within ourselves may we reach God and the kingdom of heaven.
I had the privilege of volunteering in a local care home to talk with elderly residents.
This showed me the importance of cross-generational friendships and the potential impact of adults recognising the value that young people could add to society. It could also provide new ways to help with young people’s development.
My prayer is that children and young people recognise their value in society and act as positive ambassadors for change, guided by our loving Father.
1 Timothy 4:12: Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Elizabeth Freeney is a member of Wokingham Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
