Note: Select one of the audio-only options if you need to download, rather than stream, the chapel.
Our Plans are Overrated — 10/1/2026 10:00 AM
Today’s speaker is Mr. Jim Houser, leader of the content, media and strategy firm, Housemix Partners, and Cedarville University’s 2026 Alumnus of the Year. Mr. Houser looks at the life of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, and draws a parallel to his own life. He shares that when we experience times of loss and difficulty, we must trust in God's plan and sovereignty.
Notes
Our Plans Are Overrated
Today in chapel, Cedarville's 2026 Alumnus of the Year, Jim Houser '91, walked through Paul's life and letters alongside his own testimony to encourage us that even when our plans don't work out, God's plan is always in action.
Comfort Is Overrated
Houser spoke about how we often mistake the absence of comfort for the absence of God. Like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10, we must delight in pain and weakness because when we are weak, God is strong.
God Changes Our Plans
In Romans 1, Paul's plan was to visit the Romans, but God's plan was different. Houser pointed out that because Paul had to pivot, the book of Romans has been a guide to billions since it was written. Like Paul's plans, our plans are overrated, and God is working on a much larger scale than we could ever understand. "God doesn't have to meet our expectations to accomplish His purpose," said Houser. In fact, our plans and God's rarely perfectly align.
Jim Houser's Testimony
Houser can testify to his plans falling apart in favor of God's plans. When he arrived at Cedarville, he had just lost his father and his ability to play golf — both his dream and his dad. He lost faith in God, but God's plan for his life did not change. He found wonderful friends, family, and mentors through Cedarville; he still maintains his college friendships to this day. Though his difficult changes in plan, Houser learned that "Jesus doesn't always protect you from hard things; He's with you through hard things."
Even when life is difficult, Houser encouraged us to remember that God is working out all things for the good of those who love Him. Our comfort and plans are overrated, but God's purpose for us is not overrated.