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Simoes' Final Letter to the Jamaican People
MORE OF YOU, LESS OF ME
16 September 2008
Dear Jamaicans,
In this moment of good-byes, I believe it is very important that we make and understand a detailed, humble and sincere analysis of the situation. This has always been my attitude in my personal and professional life; of never accepting wins and losses, success or failure without an analysis and final conclusion.
In 1997, in a radio show, Simon Crosskill asked why we had qualified for the World Cup, and my answer was immediate: Because God had been in command at all times. Surprised, Simon stated: “Fine, this means then, that God wasn’t in Costa Rica or El Salvador or Canada.”
Of course God was there, He just wasn’t in charge of the programme. All honour and all glory would not have been given onto Him if those teams had qualified. But in our case, it was. We had handed all the power over to God, we prayed, and we trusted that He would be the difference. After all, He doesn’t always choose those who are the most qualified, but He gives more strength and qualifications to the chosen ones.
I left Jamaica as a hero, and being able to state that He is king and He is all-powerful. People believed this since we had won, and under these circumstances words gain more power and those who hear them believe.
My arrival in 2008 was hailed as the return of the messiah; even though I refuted this numerous times saying that it wouldn’t be my return, but a joint effort from everyone that would be responsible for our qualifying again. But an important fact was left out. Placing Jesus in the front and in command of the programme again would be the essential factor for success. This was never done. We never focused on talking about Him. We didn’t follow the steps we had taken in the past, creating integration with the needy, and offering time and prayer. We trusted that we, or maybe I alone, would be the great architects of our return to the top of the world.
No, please don’t think that I’m trying to get away from taking responsibility for mistakes, wrong decisions, and slapping it all on Jesus’ tab. On the contrary, I’m humbly saying that I failed where I shouldn’t have, in the most important aspect of the programme. I am the guilty party.
But, since God doesn’t let us finish anything without a lesson or without His name being exalted, once again, He is using me, breaking me, and disciplining me so I may be his faithful follower. He now wants me to keep on saying: “JESUS SAVES”, Jesus loves you and loves me also. He hates sin, but loves the sinner and is ready to forgive him. He wants you to hear from my mouth now that I am in the position of a loser, the same words you heard when I was in the position of a winner. You need to know that for Him, we are more than winners (conquerors), when we follow Him.
I could try now, to give a series of excuses and explanations for you to look at me differently and not loose the admiration you had for me. But, that would be conceit, and like running after the wind. I’m not important. He is!
I’m sorry I couldn’t make you happy again, but I hope you understand that, like you, I also make mistakes, and I have to learn that life is an eternal learning ground.
Jamaica will always remain my adopted second home, you will always be my dear brothers and sisters, I will always be ready to defend you and talk about the abundant love I received from you. You are strong and have great potential. Together you are almost unbeatable.
May Jesus in His infinite love and mercy continue to bless this country.
René Simões
16 September 2008
Dear Jamaicans,
In this moment of good-byes, I believe it is very important that we make and understand a detailed, humble and sincere analysis of the situation. This has always been my attitude in my personal and professional life; of never accepting wins and losses, success or failure without an analysis and final conclusion.
In 1997, in a radio show, Simon Crosskill asked why we had qualified for the World Cup, and my answer was immediate: Because God had been in command at all times. Surprised, Simon stated: “Fine, this means then, that God wasn’t in Costa Rica or El Salvador or Canada.”
Of course God was there, He just wasn’t in charge of the programme. All honour and all glory would not have been given onto Him if those teams had qualified. But in our case, it was. We had handed all the power over to God, we prayed, and we trusted that He would be the difference. After all, He doesn’t always choose those who are the most qualified, but He gives more strength and qualifications to the chosen ones.
I left Jamaica as a hero, and being able to state that He is king and He is all-powerful. People believed this since we had won, and under these circumstances words gain more power and those who hear them believe.
My arrival in 2008 was hailed as the return of the messiah; even though I refuted this numerous times saying that it wouldn’t be my return, but a joint effort from everyone that would be responsible for our qualifying again. But an important fact was left out. Placing Jesus in the front and in command of the programme again would be the essential factor for success. This was never done. We never focused on talking about Him. We didn’t follow the steps we had taken in the past, creating integration with the needy, and offering time and prayer. We trusted that we, or maybe I alone, would be the great architects of our return to the top of the world.
No, please don’t think that I’m trying to get away from taking responsibility for mistakes, wrong decisions, and slapping it all on Jesus’ tab. On the contrary, I’m humbly saying that I failed where I shouldn’t have, in the most important aspect of the programme. I am the guilty party.
But, since God doesn’t let us finish anything without a lesson or without His name being exalted, once again, He is using me, breaking me, and disciplining me so I may be his faithful follower. He now wants me to keep on saying: “JESUS SAVES”, Jesus loves you and loves me also. He hates sin, but loves the sinner and is ready to forgive him. He wants you to hear from my mouth now that I am in the position of a loser, the same words you heard when I was in the position of a winner. You need to know that for Him, we are more than winners (conquerors), when we follow Him.
I could try now, to give a series of excuses and explanations for you to look at me differently and not loose the admiration you had for me. But, that would be conceit, and like running after the wind. I’m not important. He is!
I’m sorry I couldn’t make you happy again, but I hope you understand that, like you, I also make mistakes, and I have to learn that life is an eternal learning ground.
Jamaica will always remain my adopted second home, you will always be my dear brothers and sisters, I will always be ready to defend you and talk about the abundant love I received from you. You are strong and have great potential. Together you are almost unbeatable.
May Jesus in His infinite love and mercy continue to bless this country.
René Simões
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