研究人員艾力克斯．史曼利（Alex Smalley）希望每個人都能早點起床，或在太陽下山時放慢腳步。為什麼呢？這是為了欣賞日出和日落。史曼利是英國的首席研究員，研究自然界對心理健康的影響。他發現這些稍縱即逝的景色，是一天之中最美麗、最令人讚嘆的時刻。與萬里晴空或璀璨夜空相比，令人讚嘆的日出或日落更能讓人心情變好，增加正向情緒和減少壓力。史曼利說：「當你看到廣闊無垠的景象，或令你心生敬畏感的情景，你會覺得自己的困難變得微不足道，也不再那麼擔憂了。」

史曼利的研究結果，呼應了先知耶利米的禱告：「主耶和華啊，祢曾用大能和伸出來的膀臂創造天地，在祢沒有難成的事。」（耶利米書32章17節）

大衛王也曾仰望上帝創造的宇宙穹蒼，宣告說：「諸天述說上帝的榮耀。穹蒼傳揚祂的手段。這日到那日發出言語；這夜到那夜傳出知識」（詩篇19篇1-2節），並且描述太陽「從天這邊出來，繞到天那邊，沒有一物被隱藏不得它的熱氣」（6節）。上帝創造的一切是多麼榮耀華美，反映出祂是全能的創造主。今天何不花點時間仰望天空，讚歎上帝的無比奇妙！

Alex Smalley wants everyone to wake up earlier—or perhaps pause more at day’s end. Why? To gaze at sunrises and sunsets. Those fleeting moments are the most beautiful, awe-inspiring times of the day, according to Smalley, the lead researcher of a British study on awe-inducing weather effects. Even more than blue skies or glittering nightscapes, a stunning sunrise or sunset can improve mood, increase positive emotions, and decrease stress. Smalley says, “When you see something vast and overwhelming or something that produces this feeling of awe, your own problems can feel diminished and so you don’t worry so much about them.”

His findings on wonder echo those of the prophet Jeremiah: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).

King David also beheld God’s creation, declaring, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). As for the sun, “It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth” (v. 6). God’s glorious creation reflects the all-powerful Creator. Why not take time today to look to the skies and marvel in Him!