By S. Maisie Ng
While playing a simple game of Vita Mahjong on my phone recently, I felt a quiet voice inside me say, “This is what the spiritual life looks like.” I laughed because it was only a game. But as I continued playing, I realized the Holy Spirit was teaching me something. God often speaks in small, ordinary moments when our hearts are open.
In Mahjong, you cannot see the whole board from the beginning; you see a few possible moves at a time. You match two tiles, and then the next layer opens. You cannot plan every step. You simply take the next good move before you. It’s like following the will of God.
God rarely shows us the whole picture in our spiritual journey. He does not give us a complete map of our future. Instead, God gives us light for the next step, just enough to move forward with trust. As the psalm says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). A lamp does not show the entire road, just the next few steps. And that is enough.
When I match tiles in the game, new possibilities appear. Something hidden becomes visible. In the same way, when I say yes to God now, the next invitation becomes clearer. One act of trust opens the door to another. One moment of courage reveals a new path. God unfolds His plan slowly, gently, and with great patience.
Sometimes in the game, I make mistakes. I choose a tile too quickly, or I miss a better move. But the game does not punish me. I can undo, shuffle, or simply try again. This reminds me of God’s mercy. In life, we also make mistakes. We choose out of fear, confusion, or impatience. But God does not abandon us. He allows us to begin again. His grace is like the “undo” button that restores our hope.
There are moments in Mahjong when I pause and look carefully. I need to “connect the dots” and see which move will open the board instead of blocking it. This is like discernment. Discernment is not about predicting the future. It is about paying attention to what brings peace, freedom, and love. It is about noticing where God is gently leading my heart.
At the end of the game, when all the tiles are cleared, I feel complete. In the spiritual life, the journey is not about perfection but about faithfulness. God is the one who completes the work in us. As St. Paul says, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Through this simple game, God reminded me that the spiritual path is taking one step at a time, with trust, patience, and a heart open to grace. Even in small things, God teaches us how to walk with Him.
