Every Monday at 10:00 a.m., morning chapel required us to sign in on our own
numbered box and sit in Torrey-Grey Auditorium to hear the message from Dr.
Sweeting. I’m not saying that he was a “clock freak”, but he arose, approached the
pulpit and spoke his first word as the sweep hand crossed 10:00 precisely. At the other
end of his always fine message, he ended in prayer with a hearty “Amen” as the sweep
hand exactly crossed 10:20.

Dr. Sweeting was a godly and gracious man, yet a disciplined and demanding one. His
tall handsome stature coupled with gleaming white hair made for an imposing figure that
I imagined was much like Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai aglow with the glory of
Yahweh Himself. When he spoke, you wanted to listen and you had better listen. His
chapel message always contained some noteworthy nuggets.

In 1979, electronic devices were well out of price range for most people, especially
college students. So, I always carried a few 3x5 index cards in my button-down shirt
pocket so I could make notes of such gems. Usually, I was asked to “loan a card” to
several students sitting around me. It was a ministry for me to supply them.

My freshman class numbered more than 660 in August of 1979. In 1982, the number of
graduating students was an average, modest 230-some. The balance, for one reason
or another, had dropped out, went home or went elsewhere. I knew that several
students possessed valid reasons for their departure, e.g., illness, stress, family
problems, financial difficulty, academic challenges, etc. Honestly, stress and physical
illness nearly brought me to an early out. So, I didn’t take the dropout matter lightly.
Back to “George”: in one of those early year chapel messages, our President made a
profound statement that was 3x5 card worthy and life-long memory worthy. He said in a
very fatherly manner, “Any fool can quit, and they usually do.” In Sweeting’s eyes,
quitting for a less than mortal reason was foolish. And honestly, many of my classmates
fell into that category. For many years Dr. Sweeting was pastor of Moody Memorial
Church up on North LaSalle Drive. He was not only a great speaker, but a gentle
pastor. His quote on quitting (much like the words of the Hebrew pastor in chapter four)
was not aimed at scaring, berating, or shaming a potential dropout. His words were
intended to warn, challenge, encourage, and motivate the weak and heavy laden (of
which I was one) to continue by looking to Christ for grace and help.

That chapel quote corresponds well with Hebrews chapter four. The Kadesh Israelites
foolishly “dropped out” of God’s plan and purpose for them. Pastor Sweeting desired
better choices for the Class of ’79. When I heard the challenge, I accepted it, deciding
to persevere by God’s grace and help. I praise the Lord for that. Without it, I would
have been laid low.

Please carefully heed a pastoral word of warning, encouragement, exhortation and
challenge to all of us who are weak and heavy-laden. Don’t be foolish enough to quit.

Persevere in your Christian life. Come daily unto Jesus, who will give you rest unto
your souls. By the grace of God let us, each one, exercise faith in Christ’s shepherd
character and exhibit true momentum for His glory.