There are a couple of reasons why this book was read so much more quickly than most books. First, I have been off of work the last two days so I have had some more free time on my hands. My son has also been home, so he has been playing some games on my laptop. With him sitting next to me playing, I would read. Another big reason that I read the book so quickly is that I found myself relating to Clay Crosse's story.
Clay Crosse made his name in the Contemporary Christian Music field. He had several big hits, won Dove Awards (the Contemporary Christian Music version of the Grammy) and toured the country performing his music. Crosse has been a professed Christian most of his life. The book details his addiction to pornography and how it almost cost him everything he held dear.
Crosse was exposed to pornography at an early age when he was in the fourth grade. He reveals that it started with some magazines and eventually moved on to movies. As he delved more and more into the world of pornography, he needed it to become more graphic and more intense. The more he watched, the more he wanted to live out those fantasies that played in his mind.
While he never physically committed adultery, he knew it was just a matter of time before he would give in to the temptation. He came to the realization that he needed help. He also confessed his double life to his wife. Her part of the book talks about her feelings and how she came to forgive him and rebuild their marriage. It was not easy.
The key for the couple in turning around their lives was in turning to faith. While both of them had been professing Christians most of their lives, they were living a superficial form of Christianity. Both were more concerned about how God could bless them and not in having a deep relationship with God. They were both caught up in the material blessings of success, and Clay had the added burden of lust through pornography.
By discovering that their faith was lacking, they were able to build a deeper faith. It allowed them to save a marriage that was on the brink of collapse. Eventually, their story became a ministry to help others who were struggling with similar issues. God was able to take the bad in their lives and turn it into something good and positive.
I think that everybody could benefit from their story, whether or not they are struggling with issues like lust and pornography. The root of their problem were not these things, but rather the focus on themselves and not on God. By refocusing on the right things, they were able to get back on the right track. That is not to say that they don't still struggle, but that they now know better how to stay on track.
