Do you remember the 1990s song “Wind of Change” by the influential West Germany hard-rock band the Scorpions? I’ve seen articles that state the power ballad was developed by the group after a visit to the USSR. In one interview I read, members explain that the song was written for the changes the band experienced in the opening up of the heavy metal and rock music scenes into the Soviet Union around 1988-89. It was not for political purposes. However, it will always be the anthem linked to the end of the Cold War. Especially since the video shows images of life through years of global conflict and the Berlin Wall coming down. This was an era when the struggle between the communist and the capitalist blocs eased due to the restructuring reforms implemented by the last leader of the Soviet Communist Party, Mikhail Gorbachev. Many people claim that his ‘openness policy reform’ was a significant foundation for the 1989 revolutions and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union that ended the Cold War. Most of us remember the historical scene on June 12, 1987, at the Berlin Wall, where the 33rd President Ronald Regan spoke those famous words, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
This song came to my mind as I got ready to write my letter, so I looked up the lyrics. The creative spirit is naturally prophetic, so I enjoy researching them. It is incredible how words from a song written around thirty-one years ago, for a completely different reason, can carry so much weight even today with events the writers knew nothing about.
As I read the lyrics, I realized that no matter where you are in your walk with God, your political views, your station in life, change will happen. The song even rings true today in the midst of a pandemic and uncertainty of the future. Change always blows in and blows out. It comes, never giving way to time but to the purpose of God. It goes into the face of all that we know and forces us as humans to move or be moved with its invisible strength to where God needs us to be. But like all storms, after they are over, and the transformation complete, there will be freedom and peace of mind if we are in Christ. In the middle of the storm, let us play our songs of hope, of freedom, of courage, given to us by the winds of change, and blow into a time where peace will reign again.
Blessings and honor,
Angela Errett
Editor
Feature Image: Bigstock.com
