"The desires God placed in your heart are there for a reason. There are people connected to your purpose." – Hadley Peck 

One of my favorite parts of hosting Faith Conversations is hearing how God reaches people in deeply personal ways. Sometimes it's through a miraculous healing. Sometimes it's through life's greatest challenges. And sometimes, as in Hadley Peck's story, it's through a quiet dream that changes everything. At just 19 years old, Hadley carries a wisdom that far exceeds her years. A horse trainer, newlywed, and passionate follower of Christ, she shared a testimony of surrender, purpose, and learning to trust God's voice above every other.

When God Gets Your Attention

Hadley grew up in Missouri before her family relocated to Texas after financial hardship. Not long afterward, her parents divorced, leaving her carrying wounds she didn't always recognize. Outwardly, she was the "good kid." She earned good grades, stayed out of trouble, and did everything right. But inwardly, her heart had become hard. Then one night, everything changed. She had a dream where she saw Jesus walking past her. She desperately called after Him, but He continued walking. When she woke up the next morning, she knew something had to change. It wasn't condemnation. It was conviction. That dream became the beginning of a relationship—not simply attending church, but truly knowing Jesus.

"Our life revolves around our relationship with Christ. If it doesn't, then what is it for?"

From that moment forward, Hadley began spending time with God, learning to recognize His voice and allowing Him to soften the places life had hardened.

God Wants Your Heart Before Your Gifts

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Hadley described what transformed her. It wasn't ministry. It wasn't success. It wasn't becoming a better horsewoman. It was realizing that God wasn't primarily interested in what she could do for Him. He simply wanted her heart. As she spent time with Him, she discovered that the Father desired relationship before performance. That revelation changed how she loved others, how she viewed herself, and eventually how she entered marriage. She also shared how her husband, Gatlin, became an incredible example of Christ's love by continually showing her grace, patience, and unconditional love. "When you truly experience the love, grace, mercy, and peace of God," she said, "it completely changes you."

Hearing God's Voice

One of the questions so many believers wrestle with is: How do I know it's really God speaking?Hadley's answer was refreshingly simple. She explained that God continually confirmed His voice through Scripture, peace, and repeated confirmation over time. When she first met Gatlin, she felt the Lord clearly say,

"That's your husband."

It seemed impossible. They faced age differences, seasons apart, uncertainty, and plenty of opportunities to doubt. But every time she sought the Lord, He gently reminded her, "You know My voice." Rather than chasing signs, she learned to trust the relationship she had built with God. That's a lesson every believer can embrace. The more time we spend with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes.

Your Purpose Was Planted Long Ago

One of my favorite parts of our conversation centered around purpose. So many people spend years asking, "Lord, what am I supposed to do?" Hadley offered a beautiful perspective. She believes many of the desires God places in our hearts begin when we're children. Those dreams aren't accidents. They're invitations. As a little girl, she loved horses. Later, she discovered a passion for show jumping, even though everyone around her rodeoed. For years she kept saying "no" because it didn't seem practical. It wasn't the safe financial decision. It wasn't what everyone expected. Yet the Lord kept bringing it back to her heart. Finally, she surrendered. And as she said yes to God, doors began opening in unexpected ways. She reminded us:

"It's not so much finding your purpose. It's saying yes to your purpose."

What a powerful truth.

When Good Things Become Idols

Perhaps the deepest part of our conversation came when Hadley spoke honestly about horses. She loved competing. She loved winning. She loved her favorite horse. But over time, she realized something difficult. The gift had quietly become an idol. When her beloved horse suffered injuries that ended her competitive career, Hadley was devastated. Looking back, she realized God wasn't punishing her. He was lovingly redirecting her heart .Her identity had slowly become wrapped around success instead of surrender. She reflected,

"It completely took wiping out my favorite horse for me to realize it had become an idol."

That's a hard lesson—but one many of us can relate to. An idol isn't always something bad. Sometimes it's something wonderful that quietly takes God's place in our hearts. Whether it's our career, relationships, ministry, sports, finances, or reputation, anything that becomes more important than our dependence on Christ deserves honest reflection.

Are You Being Driven—or Led?

One statement from Hadley has stayed with me. She said,

"It's easy to be driven. It's much harder to be led."

What a profound distinction. Many of us live driven lives. Driven by achievement. Driven by fear. Driven by expectations. Driven by comparison. Driven by proving ourselves. But the Holy Spirit doesn't drive. He leads. Being led requires surrender. It requires trust. It requires slowing down enough to hear His voice. That's where true peace is found.

Holding Onto Joy

Life brings trials. Jesus never promised otherwise. But Hadley reminded us that joy isn't based on circumstances. Our joy is rooted in salvation. Bank accounts change. Careers change. Health changes. Horses come and go. Dreams shift. But Christ remains the same. As she reflected on 2 Corinthians 12, she reminded us that God's power is perfected in our weakness. Sometimes our greatest breakthroughs come when we stop trying to hold everything together and instead allow Him to carry us.

Final Thoughts

As we wrapped up our conversation, Hadley shared something I hope every reader remembers: There are people attached to your purpose. Your gifts aren't just for you. Your passions aren't random. The desires God planted inside your heart may become the very pathway He uses to reach someone else .Whether it's horses…Business…Teaching…Writing…Parenting…Music…Or simply loving the people around you…When you surrender your gifts to God, He multiplies their impact far beyond what you could ever imagine. Don't dismiss the desires He's placed inside your heart. Bring them before Him. Trust His timing. Follow His leading. And remember…God isn't simply calling you to discover your purpose. He's inviting you to say yes to it.

Scripture References

• Psalm 37:4 – "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
• John 10:27 – "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
• James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds.
• John 16:33 – "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
• Ephesians 6:13 – "...and after you have done everything, to stand."

Thank you to Hadley Peck for sharing her heart and her testimony on this episode of Fearlessly Unshackled: Faith Conversations with host Sarah Rose. May her story encourage you to trust God's voice, surrender every area of your life, and boldly walk in the purpose He has prepared for you.