“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks …”
(Proverbs 1:20–21)
We live in a time of “noisy streets.” Everywhere we turn, someone – something – is clamoring for our attention. The noisier it gets … the louder they shout. Yet even in the noise, God’s voice can be heard. Even the unbelievers, unbeknownst to themselves, often proclaim the wisdom of God. They proclaim words they cannot themselves hear.
I was reminded of this truth recently as I listened to a clip from the Huberman Labs podcast on YouTube. The show is hosted by well-known neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, associate professor at Stanford School of Medicine. Huberman’s resume is quite impressive and he has become popular in recent years through his multiple appearances on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Huberman himself now boasts nearly 7 million subscribers on YouTube and millions more on Instagram.
One of the more foundational of Huberman’s tenets, which has been circulating the internet over the past couple years, is on the value of getting natural sunlight to your eyes first thing in the morning. Huberman teaches that this one simple – and free – morning discipline has the power to radically transform our physical and mental health.
And Huberman is not the only well-educated doctor prescribing this as a crucial part of a good morning routine: Dr. Jack Kruse (neurosurgeon), Dr. Daniel Amen (psychiatrist), Dr. Mark Hyman (functional medicine pioneer), and Dr. Matthew Walker (neuroscientist and author of Why We Sleep) are just a few of the other big names who have looked at the studies and come to the same conclusion as Huberman: Getting natural sunlight first thing in the morning should be a cornerstone habit of our lives – it is absolutely vital to our health as human beings.
But why? What does it actually do?
Morning sunlight sends a signal to the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) – your body’s master clock that sets its Circadian rhythm – setting off a chain of events. Proper Circadian alignment has huge impacts on testosterone, growth hormones, and insulin sensitivity. Your body experiences a natural, and healthy, cortisol spike that leads to focus, alertness, and energy throughout the day. It ramps up serotonin production, which improves mood and combats depression. And, lastly, it regulates melatonin production, which means you’ll enjoy better-quality sleep later that night.
The studies, and the experts, all seem to agree with Huberman: “Getting sunlight in your eyes first thing in the morning is absolutely vital to mental and physical health. It is perhaps the most important thing that any and all of us can and should do … It is the single best behavioral tool for improving sleep, mood, and overall well-being.”
Those are strong words. Although I’m always wary about over-spiritualizing things in this life, I can’t help but find myself chuckling a bit on the inside as I consider the irony of this teaching. I am reminded of another wise man’s words …
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
(Psalm 19:1)
I find myself grinning as I consider the words of the Apostle Paul, too …
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
Oh yes, God is continually revealing Himself through His creation. Wisdom is certainly crying aloud in the streets – on the interwebs – and on the socials. If only we will listen.
The doctors, the scientists, and the gurus have been to their universities, they have studied their books, and they have earned their degrees. And here is the wisdom they declare as they “raise their voices in the markets” …
“Oh, man, please listen to us. Consider all of our accolades and the many bullet points on our resumes, and hear our words: Do you see that great and inescapable light up there in the heavens? It is the one that our Earth, and our lives, are literally orbiting around at this very moment. It is the one we just so happen to call the Sun. If you want to be healthy, here is what you must do: As soon as possible, upon waking every single day, you must find yourself gazing toward this great light. It will recalibrate you. It will improve you. It will change and transform you on the inside. It will give you rest at night. Listen to us, oh man: If you want to be healthy, here is the daily medicine we prescribe. Locate that magnificent ‘light’ that dwells in the heavens, and every single morning, find yourself in its presence!”
I can’t help but wonder, do they hear the words they speak? Do we?
“I am the light of the world …” (John 8:12)
The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”
(Isaiah 60:19)
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21:23)