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 her church choir. “I came to know God in a real way in the middle of college,” Purcell shares. College was also where she began to seriously hone her craft — writing and performing her original music around town.
“I also had my heart broken a few times,” she adds, “and those heartbreak songs were the songs that ended up helping me get my first record deal.” When Purcell’s time with the major label ended, she was already feeling the pull of an impending new season. She began writing songs about her faith, which you can hear on her Mercy & Me EP.
She exhibits the passion and confidence of a seasoned artist. Her songwriting is real, positive, and vulnerable, and her upbeat songs are a great way to celebrate freedom in Christ. Rachel's biblically inspired lyrics show that true happiness and identity come from her relationship with God. I interviewed Rachel about her new song “Keep Going” from her Keep Going EP.
What is the takeaway message of your song?
I’ve seen how God used my trauma from two years ago as the catalyst to bring me great healing. God is the only one who can give me strength to keep going. If He hadn’t given me the right help when I needed it, I don’t think I would be here today. And I’m so glad I am. If you’re reading this, don’t give up on running the race God has set before you. God is not giving up on you. He will give you help in His perfect timing. Keep going. We are never running alone.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Romans 8:28 (VOICE): "We are confident that God is able to 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."
John 8:12 (NKJV): "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'"
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV): "For it is the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV): "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 5:16-19 (NIV): "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, and the new is here. All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
Romans 8:17 (NIV): “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order 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.”
Tell me the personal story behind this song?
When I think of the past two years of my life, the message to myself has always been 'Keep going.' In this day and age, the world can feel really lonely, but this body of work says, 'You're not alone.' My prayer is that these songs will meet you right where you're at and lift you up. I feel like God had bigger plans for me than I did for myself. I don’t know why God has given me the opportunities or the platform He has, but I want to honor Him and do my best to be faithful to the calling He’s placed on my life.
Lyrics
I've been knocked down a million times
I ain't even trying to count them no more
But every time that I fall I get up again
Ain't worried about nothing
Don't you know I got a friend
I'll be calling him
I can hear him say it again
If you want to win
Keep going, keep going, keep going
Keep going, keep going, keep going
You've come so far
Be strong, take heart
I know you're tired of running
But you know you're never running alone
Keep, keep, keep going
I got miles out in front of me
I think I'd better trust in the one who is leading me on
It's like I've raced to the place where I want to be
Ain't stopping for nothing
Don't you know I got a God
Bigger than you thought
Telling me to give what I got
So if you’re ready or not
Keep going, keep going, keep going
Keep going, keep going, keep going
You've come so far
Be strong, take heart
I know you're tired of running
But you know you're never running alone
Keep, keep, keep going
No fear, no doubt, that’s it
Just keep the faith and keep going
Don’t quit, don’t slip, don’t sit, don’t stop
Just keep the ball rolling
No fear, no doubt, that’s it
Just keep the faith and keep going
Keep it, keep it, keep it rolling
Keep it, keep it, keep it rolling
Keep going, keep going, keep going
Keep going, keep going, keep going
You've come so far
Be strong, take heart
I know you're tired of running
But you know you're never running alone
Keep going
Closing Thoughts
“Keep Going” reminds us that God often uses trials to draw us closer to Him, teaching us to depend on His strength rather than our own. It encourages honesty about our struggles, urging us to confess our sins and acknowledge our need for God. Our weaknesses highlight God's grace and power. Personally, I find this song deeply convicting and comforting, reminding us that we can't control everything and that trusting God removes our fears.
The song challenges us to reflect on our doubts and how Jesus calls us to rely on Him and His resurrection power, reminding us that He has conquered death and fear. If you've placed your hope in Jesus, nothing can separate you from His love. The faith we're called to is like a mustard seed—small but potent. This song offers truth for believers to hold onto.
Spend time with God and allow Him to redeem and restore you. Our story isn't finished; God's still writing our redemption. He is faithful to complete what He has begun in all who trust in Jesus for salvation. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This powerful verse affirms that, despite our flaws, we are God’s beloved children.
In embracing this truth, “Keep Going” celebrates the freedom God promises. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
“Keep Going” is a biblical truth that resonates with all listeners. Christians are new people on the inside. The truth that the Holy Spirit gives us new life. We no longer have to live with guilt, fear, perfectionism, or worry. This song is a personal testimony to the power of walking out of the darkness and into God's marvelous light. Sing along and pray these words: “Keep going, keep going, keep going/You've come so far/Be strong, take heart/I know you're tired of running/But you know you're never running alone/Keep, keep, keep going.” Amen to that.
