So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian madservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar,, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
~ Genesis 16:3,4

At this point in his life, Abraham listened to his wife. I don’t know what happened to Sarah, but somewhere along the way, she had contacted the ways of the world; on the other hand, Abraham had detached from God and was now listening to Sarah who had imbibed the ways of the world.

He did as Sarah had advised and to their immediate joy, and ultimate sorrow, it worked. And that’s the most troubling fact regarding the ways of this world: they work in the immediate. Ultimately, however, their immediate success creates endless conflict and sorrow.

Abraham got what he wanted. A son called Ishmael. In retrospect, however, was that really what he wanted?

This is the danger of walking in the ways of the world. Listen closely and pay attention to this: The danger is that it might actually ‘succeed’. Then what? The so-called success will plunge you into deep and unbearable sorrow; it will introduce eternal agony and pain into your life. So, be careful with worldly success – that is, success that comes at the expense of God’s ways.

I can tell you this: You definitely don’t need Ishmael in your life! You don’t need all that pain and agony. So, mind who you’re listening to and make sure you stick to God’s ways.

May the peace of God flood your life as you make the right choice to walk in the ways of God and allow His finger operate in your life.