KNYOM

 
     I find it interesting that one of the first Khmer words I ever learned was the word for "I" and "me."  This makes sense.  To say, "My name is Neal," I had to learn to say "Knyom chmuah Neal."  When trying to stumble through songs written in Khmer, I happened to learn my first Khmer word by sight.  When written, it looks similar to an upside down, backward apostrophe.  When the congregation is singing, I always chime in when I see the "knyom."  I see it and know it better than any of the others.  Only yesterday, on my third overall trip to Cambodia and eleven days into seeing and hearing and trying to speak Khmer on this trip, I finally learned the word for "you."  It is "nyet."  The word is shorter and easier to say.  I am still amazed that it took me so much longer to learn to say it.
     Look back at the last paragraph.  I used some form of the word "I' 17 times, but the word "you" only twice.  It is human nature for us to be more inclined toward "me" and less inclined toward "you."  So many are so caught up in talking about "I," "me," and "my" that they cannot see others, let alone Christ. It is all about "me" (my family, my children, my interests, my wants and desires, and my will).  Yet, that  is so contrary to the biblical model for behavior in a Christian.  
     Apparently, Euodia and Syntyche were "me-deep" in self (Phil. 4:2).  
When we are caught up in ourselves, we are ineffective at holding up the Light of the word to those in darkness.  Paul's inspired remedy for this problem is found in Philippians 2:3-4.  He essentially says, "Consider others are better or more important than self."  Show interest in the other person.  Focus more on them and less on yourself.  More importantly, focus most on Christ.
     The word needs far less "knyom" and much more "nyet."  Most of all, it needs "Pray Yesu."  Let us do our part!

 

Neal Pollard