Standing on the precipice of change, singer-songwriter Rachel Purcell sits down with Leading Hearts to give us a peek into God’s faithfulness.

While having had the opportunity to do some cool things within the country music industry —like working with award-winning producer Dann Huff, playing the Grand Ole Opry and opening for country music great Reba McEntire—to name a few), her current footsteps fill her with a renewed sense of excitement and peace as she embraces her authentically God designed self. Her latest musical offerings share heartfelt sentiments encouraging others to do the same.

Taking The Next Best Step

Rachel shares, “I think often about one of my mentor’s favorite quotes. It’s from Elizabeth Elliott. God is always leading us along, and when you don’t know what to do, this quote says to do the next thing. And I feel like that, right now. Where I am currently is not a testament to me at all; it’s the Lord. He’s led me to this point and I trust him and his wisdom, to help me do the next best thing,” even through the years of distraction she experienced in her young adulthood. Feeling the stress of trying to figure it all out, while also cultivating a sincere love for music, Rachel began singing at local venues and taking advantage of event opportunities.

Rachel tells us of one example: “There was a great hotel with a golf course near my home in Alabama. People would come to stay there, and I happened to be singing in the hotel restaurant my senior year of high school. One day, while golfing, a Sony country music rep from Nashville, who was looking for new artists, heard me sing. I was 17 then and did not know what I was doing with my life! But I believe that God divinely had us meet.”

Re-Anchored in Faith

During her junior year at college, Rachel attributes the re-grounding of her faith to God’s perfect timing. She was experiencing a world and life so different from her upbringing, and her heart felt the heaviness of her decisions. A life-changing, no turning back moment came when she least expected it.

“I remember sitting in my car, feeling at rock bottom. So alone and so isolated. I was thinking about the things I’d done. I was so ashamed and I hated myself.

Trusting Jesus was something Rachel often witnessed growing up within the walls of her childhood home. Having lived in a faith-based environment, God continues to give her a perspective on His overall plan for her life. She recalls, “It’s so cool to see the answered prayers of a praying mom throughout my life. I’m very much the result of that. We went to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. I loved church! It was just one of my favorite places. Being able to grow up in that kind of atmosphere, I don’t take it for granted. And I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”

Looking back, it’s evident that God has always led her,

“As I’m crying in the car, I hear the voice of God… just speaking to my heart like he does, saying, ‘I love you. I forgive you.'”

And just that quickly, Rachel’s response to God’s presence was life-changing at a much deeper level. It wasn’t a moment based on her upbringing, her parents’ faith, or even the sweet childhood realization of who Christ was to her at the age of 6—“I was just like, wow, if this is you, God, I’m not going to be half in ever again. I want to be all in with you. I want a real relationship…and that day changed my life forever.”

Following college, with her identity grounded in Jesus, Rachel reached back out to the music exec she had met as a teenager in that hotel restaurant. She decided to move to Nashville and pursue a professional music career. Making the city her new home and signing with her first label, she began the work of discovering who she was as an artist. Part of that process included learning the art of songwriting with some of the best in the music industry. The singer says, “I feel like Country music found me.” With her southern background and writing style, Rachel saw the release of several country singles.

A New Song for A New Day

Much has changed for Rachel since those early career days. She met, fell in love and married her husband, Noah. She has grown not only as an artist, but also in what she believes God has called her to walk in currently. Singing country music has been a blessing, yet Rachel finds herself in a season of transition. Her passion for songwriting is to create music that more honestly expresses where her heart is.

Rachel’s newest music brings her full circle as the lyrics lift up God and tell others of his goodness. Her style creates a fun fusion of musical expression, pulling from the influence of country, pop, R & B and gospel music. You can now enjoy her 3-song, 3-video Live from Muscle Shoals EP, recorded at the Fame Recording Studios, just down the road from where she grew up in Muscle Shoals, AL. Be on the lookout for even more new music soon!

“I just want to stay in a lane that will continue to honor the Lord,” Rachel reveals. “One of the most common themes in my life has been that God works in mysterious ways. I look back and I’m like, ‘You were working with this girl,’ and He’s held me through all of it. And I’m just thankful.”

Watch Rachel’s latest video, “Show Up” from Live From Muscle Shoals. To learn more about her, visit rachelpurcell.com.