Things that last are often those that are allowed to grow naturally: organic talent that develops over time, nurtured along by the love of family and friends, spread by means of a grassroots effort and good old-fashioned word of mouth. That’s the story behind Chasen.

Born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Chasen Callahan had a gift that was honed during nearly a decade as a worship pastor. He built a following one person at a time, playing youth camps and conferences. Despite all the new opportunities, Callahan’s worship roots still run deep.

“I get asked by people to record a worship album, and I probably will at some point because that’s where I started and who I am,” he says.

In the meantime, fans find a worshipful quality to almost everything he writes. “On and On” wasn’t meant to be a worship song, but as the band plays it night after night they see an audience with hands raised in praise.

Fresh from the back-to-back radio success of “Crazy Beautiful," “Drown” and now “On and On,” Chasen released That Was Then, This Is Now on March 9, 2010 marking their major record label debut with INO Records.

I got the chance to interview Chasen Callahan about “On And On.” You can listen to our entire interview here.

What's the story behind the song “On And On”?

Our nation was reacting to the recession and weighty political issues, as well as all the negativity in the media. We had lost our joy, but when all else fails, God’s love never does. I serve a God that is much bigger than the economy or who our president is. His grace goes on forever, so I’m not going to worry about tomorrow. I started writing this song with Rob Hawkins, our co-producer. I told him I wanted to write an anthem that reflects how proud we are to be followers of Jesus. I know without a shadow of a doubt that we can rest easy at night as we serve an awesome God.

Can you share any Bible verses that tie in with the song?

Psalm 136:1-3: Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever.

Hebrews 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

How can listeners apply that message in their walks when they listen to "On And On"?

There is no guarantee in the music industry. For me, all I can do is say, "God, I know You’ve called me to follow You and to be a faithful husband and father." I know that eternal life with Christ is the only hope we can truly live for. I think it is very comforting to know that all I can do is be sensitive to God’s voice and try to follow the path He has laid out for me. God’s plans and His ways will unfold in our lives.

Here are the lyrics:

Awake tonight, I'm breathing the air of the night sky
Listening, and wanting an answer to questions we're wondering
I never thought that it would ever be possible
To cross the lines we drew that govern what we say and do
But no height and no depth
Could separate us

CHORUS
Some say we need a miracle
Some say there's no hope at all but I
Know that Your love is strong
It goes on and on and on and on
We'll rise up when it gets us down
We'll be the voice in a blaring crowd cause we know
Your love will lead us home
It goes on and on and on and on

I've tried my way, it always ends up being a mistake
But You're right, when You say that You set the time for the plans You made
I never thought that I could ever learn to let it go
Somehow it's better when I follow in the paths You show
So I'm here, I'm waiting
Cause I believe

CHORUS

There is no fear of belief, it's just this cold reality
That wants to take me away from You
There is no doubt in my mind, that in Your perfect time
Your plans, and Your ways will unfold

CHORUS

People typically remember songs longer than they remember sermons. I love when an artist can bring the truth of the Bible into their song and we can have it be part of our lives. The bridge of this song really drives home the point that God’s plans and God’s ways will ultimately unfold in our lives as it says in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We think that we can fix situations in our lives, and God reminds us that we can’t fix things on our own without God. I love to sing this song at the top of my lungs and cry out how proud I am to be a follower of Jesus.