New Centricity recording artist Rachel Purcell started writing songs as a teen and played in the high school marching band. She always loved a good pop melody, but her aspirations were only as big as those of her church choir. “I came to know God really in the middle of college,” Purcell shares. College was also where she began seriously honing her craft, writing and performing her original music around town.
She experienced heartbreak a few times, and those heartbreak songs helped her secure her first record deal. When her time with the major label concluded, she sensed the start of a new season. As an independent artist, she began writing songs about her faith, which are included on her Live From Muscle Shoals EP.
She displays the passion and confidence of a seasoned artist. Her songwriting is honest, positive, and vulnerable, and her upbeat songs provide an excellent way to celebrate freedom in Christ. Rachel is a strong role model for girls. Her biblically inspired lyrics illustrate how true happiness and identity stem from a relationship with God. Her latest release is the new song "Show Up."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“Show Up” speaks to our constant need for God to make Himself known amid the ordinary. God has shown up for me when I had no idea what to do, how to pick myself up, or even when I didn’t want to get out of bed.
Sometimes, you write something you think you’re writing for other people, only to realize later that you need it. When I’m writing, I think about the working mom. I think of my girlfriends juggling work, kids, and home. They need something to lift and remind them how God feels about them. They balance their family issues, traumas, and daily identity and values. I often ask myself, ‘What little hope can I give a woman like that?’
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Romans 8:28(VOICE): "We are confident that God can orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
Ephesians 2:4-5(NIV): "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV): "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 2:10(NLT): "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."
Romans 12:2(The Voice): "Do not allow this world to mold you in its image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."
Romans 8:17(NIV): “Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings so that we may also share in His glory.”
Philippians 1:6(NKJV): “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): He told me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
What is the takeaway message of your song?
I feel like I wrote this song for ‘future me’ as much as for ‘present me.’ I pray this song will be helpful to many people. I hope it will meet people where they are, like it met me. Whenever I’ve tried to quit or give up, God’s like, ‘No, I’m keeping you in music.’ I feel God had bigger plans for me than I had for myself. I don’t know why God has given me the opportunities He has or his platform, but I want to honor Him and do my best to be faithful to His calling.
Lyrics
Some days it takes more to get out of bed Then I bargained for, then I got to give Sometimes it feels like it’s all gone wrong It’s a wearing-thin faith I’m running on Got me dragging my feet With my hope down on E Oh, but Lord knows I’ve seen That you do your best work working with weak That’s when you
Show up and fill my cup From empty to overflowing Show up and give me what I’m needing in this moment If there’s a mountain, there’s a mountain gonna move If there’s a fire, there’s a fire that you’ll walk me through Every promise that you promise is true Can’t wait to see what you’re gonna do When you show up, show up Hands in the air is all I can do Trust less in me and trust more in you What should I fear, the God that I know Can step on the stage and put on a show You got good plans And I’m in good hands That’ll turn my pain into my joy No, you never let me down, and you never disappoint When you
Beyond a shadow of a doubt God, I know that you’re about to To show up show up And shine a little light right here, right now
So, I’ll show up and praise you With all of my heart So, I’ll show up and thank you For what you’ve done and who you are
Closing Thoughts
“Show Up” is a biblical truth that resonates with all listeners. This song is a testimony to the power of walking out of darkness and into God's marvelous light. Rachel Purcell has written and sung an extraordinary song rooted in truth. It addresses the identity struggle we all experience: understanding that as children of God, we are created in His image and made whole only through His love.
This song shares a testimony of submission to the Lord that we can use as a prayer for liberation from our struggles. Our weaknesses are not something to hide. God's grace and strength are revealed due to our weaknesses. The powerful lyrics move me deeply, offering immense comfort. We cannot know everything, and we are not in control. However, trusting God assures us we do not have to be afraid.
The song's message encourages us to reflect on our doubts. It prompts us to consider how Jesus calls us to trust in Him and the power of His resurrection, reminding us that He has conquered death and fear.
Nothing can separate us from God’s love when we place our full hope and trust in Jesus, as the apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39. According to Jesus in Matthew 17:20, believers are called to have a faith that can move mountains, even as small as a mustard seed. This song is filled with biblical truth that believers can cling to every season.
Spend time with God and allow Him to redeem and restore you. We are not at the end of our story; God is still writing our stories of redemption. He wants us to know that He is faithful in completing what He has started in all of us who have put our hope and trust in Jesus for salvation.
Sing along and pray these words: “So I’ll show up and praise You/With all of my heart/So I’ll show up and thank You/For what You’ve done and who You are.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He attributes the message of Christian music to guiding him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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