Go With God

In Brazil, a common salutation we hear is Go With God. I have lived in Rio de Janeiro since 2003 and if anything I hear it more as I get older. They are always welcome words when meeting an old friend, or perhaps a new acquaintance after a lively conversation testing and expanding my Portuguese. Go with God. Vai com Deus.

This is the same city that over a hundred years ago, the visionaries erected an immense statue of Jesus Christ at the highest point in the city. The arms and face of the Savior overlook the city. The statue overlooks a large lake that is adjacent to Rio de Janeiro’s iconic beaches. This is where I lived, and where I began running that lake. It is 7500m or roughly 4.6 miles. Every day, I ran this lake under that statue. At 45 years old, I got healthy and was in the best shape of my life. So “Go with God” has a special meaning for me.

For my friends and acquaintances, the adage has meaning as well. It means I like you and wish you well. There is nothing equivalent in America. Typically we say “Take it Easy” or “Have a Good One” which has little significance if any. Worse yet, any mention of God outside of religious establishments is essentially taboo. Go with God also means that the sender believes in God which for me almost always puts a smile on my face.

Lastly Go with God is a simple recognition that we are humbly not in control and there is order to things which we respect. I am glad you found my web site and Go With God.