An Invitation to Return

Moses failed. He tried to take God's plans into his own hands. Fiasco. Killing Egyptians one at a time--not such a bright idea. Fled to the wilderness. God sought him out in the burning bush. Didn't want to obey. Made God a little bit angry by claiming that his inadequacy was greater than God's ability. "I can't do this, Lord. I flunked speech, remember?" Finally, surrendered and acted on God's call. Eloquently and courageously delivered God's message to the most powerful man of the day. Then, led those murmurers for forty years. God's assessment of Moses. "Best friend I ever had. We spoke face to face every day."
David failed. He let the iniquity in his heart control his desires. He committed adultery and murder. The punishment for both under the law was death. Confronted by God through the prophet Nathan, he broke down in repentance and sorrow. Admitted his sin against God, accepted the consequences for his sin, offered the sacrifices of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Sacrifices God will not despise. God's final assessment of David, "He's a man after My own heart. He has learned to desire and seek the things that I desire and seek."
Mark failed. Called to serve Barnabas and Paul on that first journey, he quit and went back home. We don't know why for sure: fear? feelings of inadequacy? angry because they weren't using him the way he envisioned they would use--should--use him? We don't know. He became a faithless servant. When they returned from their journey, Barnabas found a different young man. Ready to serve again. Did so by going on a missionary journey with Barnabas. Paul wouldn't trust him. Did God? He had Mark write the gospel that pictured Jesus as the faithful servant--imagine that. And late in life, Paul told Timothy, "when you come, bring Mark with you. He is so profitable to my ministry. I would love to have him here by my side serving with me."
Failed? Tried to take God's plan into your own hands? Fiasco, right? Told God you were finished with serving Him. Your inadequacies were more powerful than His enabling. Surrender. Let Him use you again. He will enable. And the theme song of your life will be "What a friend I have in Jesus."
Failed? Let your desperately wicked heart control your desires? Sinned a great sin? Offer Him the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He will not despise such sacrifices. He will take you and mold you into a man or woman whose one desire is to desire what He desires.
Failed? Been an unfaithful servant? Walked away from Him? Confess and repent. He'll use your story to draw attention to His great faithfulness. And at the top of your eternal resume will be these words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Turn back to Him. What a friend you'll have in Jesus! Your heart and desires and loves will be in tune with His heart! You will be transformed into a faithful servant profitable to the furtherance of the kingdom!
What are you waiting for? He's already given you in His Word--multiple times--the invitation to come back to Him and serve Him again, empowered by the everlasting arms of forgiving love.