Belated Wisdom Wednesday: The Wisdom of “via von Dios”
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
(Gen 5:24 NASB 95)
“Vaya con Dios my friend.”
This is a common expression used to wish a friendly goodbye. It is a a Spanish phrase that literally translates to “go with God”. Some would say it can mean “May God be with you”.
The expression originated in medieval Spanish Catholic culture, where it developed as a blessing. It was a way of wishing for a person to depart with God’s blessing and divine protection. The verb “go” is in the subjunctive for, meaning it is a desire or wish – not a command.
The expression was popularized in America in 1953 with the hit song “Vaya Con Dios” by the musical duo Les Paul and Mary Ford. The song expressed the kindness of a farewell between a romantic couple. Mary Ford sings:
Wherever you may be, I’ll be beside you
Although you’re many million dreams away
Each night I’ll say a prayer
A prayer to guide you
To hasten every lonely hour of every lonely day
Vaya con Dios, my darling
Vaya con Dios, my love
Where is the wisdom in this nice song? The expression “go with God” could also mean “walk with God”.
The concept of walking with God is found throughout Scripture, beginning with faithful Enoch (Gen 5:24). Noah walked with God (Gen. 6:9) and God instructed Abraham at 99 years of age to “walk before Him” (Gen 17:1). The children of Israel were instructed to walk in the way of the Lord (Deut. 5:33). The Lord spoke to Micah instructing to “…walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Let us walk with God and say farewell by wishing others to “go and walk with God”.