The longest musical performance in history is currently taking place in the church of St. Burchardi in Halberstadt, Germany. The performance of John Cage’s “Organ²/ASLSP (As Slow As Possible)” started on Sept. 5, 2001, and is set to finish in 2640. Recently the note was 
changed October 2013; then in 2020. The most recent note was played on February 5, 2024. The next note will be played on August 5, 2026.
A 1997 conference of musicians and philosophers discussed the implications of Cage’s instruction to play the piece “as slow as possible”, given that an organ imposes virtually no time limits. A project emerged to perform the piece for 639 years. A pipe organ that has been properly maintained has no finite lifespan; the duration was chosen to commemorate the first documented permanent organ installation, in 1361 in the cathedral of Halberstadt, 639 years before the proposed start date of 2000.
The performance is scheduled to end on September 5, 2640.
That is a VERY LONG SONG! Do you think the neighbors, listening to it day after day, drown out the constant hum of each prolonged note? That the beautiful song is relegated to background noise?
Do you ever feel like that? Like your voice is not heard, your concerns are not noted, the longing of your heart is just a hum to everyone else around you? Do you think that even after 639 years (a bit of exaggeration here, but some days it feels like that!) all that is left of your thoughts is just a drone of A above middle C, just background noise?
Do you even wonder if God hears?
Be encouraged! You are heard! Your voice is important! Your thoughts are treasured!
2 Samuel 22:7 and Psalm 18:6 both say:
“From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came to His ears.”
Psalm 66:19 “God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”
Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
1 John 5:14b “… He hears us.”
The hum of John Cage’s “Organ²/ASLSP (As Slow As Possible)” may last long after all of us who are reading this blog are gone from this earth. 639 years is a LONG time… But God’s living, exciting promises are eternal! Take hold of this:
HE HEARS YOU!!
You are NOT a hum, or a drone in HIS EAR!
He longs to hear from you!