What is the origin of this poetic idiom, “the winds of change?”

British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1960 is credited with popularizing the phrase in a speech he made to the South African Parliament, speaking about the future of Africa: “The wind of change is blowing through the Continent.”

Here is how Merriam-Webster defines the phrase winds of change: forces that have the power to change things —used generally to mean change is going to happen; Ex. The winds of change have begun to blow.

When I read that definition, I immediately wondered which came first—the definition or the year 2020?

Who could have imagined our world today just a few months ago?

Change being likened to wind is very apropos.

You cannot see the wind coming.

But after it arrives you see what it can do.

Covid-19 came upon us invisibly and very quietly.

But after its arrival, our world changed.

The plural “winds” being likened to “forces” having the power to change things actually startled me.

Many of us can’t help but feel like there are indeed forces at work seeking to bring about change to this planet and its inhabitants.

And the last part of the definition, “used generally to mean change is going to happen” just struck me as prophetic.

I contacted Merriam-Webster and found out that this particular definition was added in 2017.

That is also the year that ID2020 was established which is a non-governmental global alliance whose goal is to give a digital identity to every person on earth begin ning in the year 2020.

But how could any organization accomplish such a goal on a world-wide scale?

There would have to be a world-wide problem the solution for which the masses would embrace.

It would require a way to physically mark those who have been digitally identified from those who have not and appear to be for the health and well-being of all mankind.

And then came the title year of ID2020 with the corona virus.

How convenient.

Truly the winds of change have only just begun to blow.

Next week: The greatest invention ever

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.