Watch this video of a young woman’s testimony and you will catch a glimpse of what “changing image to imagine” means.

We rely so heavily on body image in our society today. Let’s face it; I have abused my body so badly, I will never have the body image Americans expect.

Many who were once morbidly obese lose all the weight and use surgery to cut away the excess skin. I have no such ambition, mostly because I fear surgery so much; which is why I refused to have my stomach reduced surgically.

Body image has nothing to do with my journey. Sure, I look forward to the day I can afford clothing that fits so I stop looking like an pre-adolescent boy who was dressed out of his father’s closet. But I’m not planning on buying swimsuits and showing off a six-pack.

Sure, I would love to have someone to spend the rest of my life with, a beautiful relationship, based on love with all the endearments of marriage.

But marriage has nothing to do with my current journey, as far as the Lord has revealed to me.

A friend from my Rotary club celebrated with me last week. I reached the milestone of losing 200 pounds. He achieved his weight loss goal after years of effort and many long plateaus. He weighs now what he weighed in high school. But he’s already married. He’s already serving his community as a city councilman. He’s well respected and dearly loved.

A dear friend asked me last week, “So, where will Ken Jones be 25 years from now.”

That, that is what this journey is all about.

Where will we be when we get where we are going? – Jerry Clower

I have dreams.

I imagine leaving my current job in early retirement to go on to other jobs with fewer governmental strings and more freedom to serve others and advocate for the vulnerable.

I imagine being someone who influences others in positive directions. I imagine being a catalyst for change.

I imagine serving in pulpit ministry again.

I imagine old friends who grow old together.

I imagine seeing my children’s children’s children.

I imagine singing praises from here to hereafter.

I hope for a day where I am called “good and faithful.”

That is what my journey is about.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

What is the destination of your journey?