After a stray dog in Ecuador met a team of four Swedish adventure athletes, he grew so attached to the squad that he ran for miles and swam long distances to keep up with them. The team chose to name the dog Arthur. This muddy, wounded animal (not a far cry from the state of his human teammates) became world-famous when all of them crossed the finish line together — and it all started with a meatball.
The Swedish Peak Performance team had come to South America to compete in the Adventure Racing World Championship, a grueling 430-mile endurance race through the Amazonian rainforest, which involves hiking, kayaking, and biking non-stop for days on end.
Just before starting one stage, the team’s Mikael Lindnord made friends with a dog, sharing a meatball with him. Lindnord thought that would be the end of it — but then the dog followed him, and essentially forced his way onto the team.
The story inspired the world. Here, in the middle of the most punishing of races, — where illness and injury can derail the greatest athletes — a sick, smelly, and bloodied stray dog became the symbol of perseverance and tenacity for his adopted team and the world. Books and movies have been made about this unlikely and miraculous relationship between Arthur and the Swedish team.
It’s easy to see many spiritual applications in the story of Arthur the King. To name a few:
- The Christian journey – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)
- Following God’s Calling, even when we don’t understand where it leads — “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
- God’s Unconditional Presence and Love — “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you” (Isaiah 54:10)
But today, I want us to look at the meatball. Mikael’s simple act of kindness to a hungry animal changed the course of the race and both of their lives. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, are powerful tools in God’s hands. They change the lives of the giver and the receiver in temporal and eternal ways.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
Today, look for a way to put your faith into action and trust that even the smallest act, done in His name, can have an impact far beyond what we can imagine.
