You know, reflecting on my college days brings back a lot of memories—especially that time when I thought I had everything figured out at 19. I attended a Christian work college where I had various jobs, but in my second year, I worked in the Student Ministries Building. Every day, I’d walk into this building, and there was this giant sign above the door that read:
It was intriguing, yet no one seemed to know the meaning behind it. I asked everyone—staff, students, even my supervisors—but no one had an answer. Yet, the question stuck with me. As I passed through the building multiple times each day, I found myself pondering, “Abby, why come ye here?” My off-campus work with local ministries, especially Kids Across America, was fulfilling (KAA!! YOU KNOW!!), but that sign urged me to dig deeper into my motivation behind serving.
Fast forward to today, 15 years later, and I'm still asking that same question. I even created a version of the sign for my home—it means that much to me. Now, as I serve at church, whether I’m putting on my altar team lanyard, grabbing a mic to sing, or pouring into the next generation, I frequently ask myself, “Why come ye here?” And I encourage you to consider your own “why.” It’s a vital reminder that, at the heart of it all, the right answer is always about Jesus.
"But, Abby, I thought you said you made the sign for your home?"
My daily life—motherhood, being a wife, tackling the endless cycle of dirty diapers and dishes—it's all ministry. So, the question stands: "Why come ye here?"
As I've matured, it's become less of a question and more a reminder that it's not about me. Every time I serve, I remind myself that the motive can never be me. And as you begin serving, I challenge you to say to yourself every single time you serve: "it's not about me". As a friendly reminder —if you're in a cycle of serving out of habit, it's time to reevaluate.
You get to do this; you don't have to.
So, it's time to ask yourself the hard question, "Why Come Ye Here?"
