06/02/2026
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Commitment can be a huge struggle, and the author understands this very well. Before addressing what commitment entails, Wesley Pennington makes it clear that it is not easy, especially for men. One of the reasons given is that commitment requires true love and vulnerability, being real. In such circumstances, and given that many men rarely see vulnerability as a strength, is commitment possible? More importantly, is it possible to make commitment a lifelong pursuit, not just something short-term? Fortunately, one question that the author addresses very early in the book is how one can be committed when they know that they cannot do it. It is because there is recourse, and there is one who has set a standard of what commitment is, by actually doing it: Jesus.
Keeping It Real: What It Will Take To Follow Jesus is a Christian inspirational book by Wesley Pennington. The book’s primary audience is men, particularly Christian men. By showing that whether a man is committed or not affects himself, his family, the church, and more, the author demonstrates that lack of commitment is very costly. As I read the book, I was reminded of a statement by Dr. Larry Crabb in his book titled Inside Out. In the book, Dr. Crabb states, “To deal with what’s really going on inside is disturbing, too uncomfortable, so we hide the inside truth from others — and from ourselves.” However, an example of a pastor who shared his struggle and made his audience connect more with him was proof that authenticity works.
Reading the book proved to be an adventurous journey of self-introspection and exploration. Am I truly committed, or following the version of Christianity where I can choose what I want? How can I ensure that my word is my bond? What have I not surrendered totally to God? And yes, the book was relatively short but impactful. Without wasting words, the author is able to make the reader see what it truly means to surrender and that, contrary to human expectation, where surrender might imply humiliation and subjugation, surrendering to God is about giving back control to the Creator and the one who truly and unconditionally loves us.
I disliked nothing about Keeping It Real: What It Will Take To Follow Jesus by Wesley Pennington. I am very happy that the author employed several Bible verses, his testimony and experiences, and other everyday stories to support his arguments and demonstrate that honesty with ourselves and others is profitable. I am also happy that he pointed the reader to Jesus Christ. Apart from the minor errors I encountered while reading, every other aspect of the book is exceptional. So if you’re a Christian man, this book is a must-read for you. However, anyone can learn something from the book. Owing to the errors, I rate the book four out of five stars. Another round of editing would, undoubtedly, enable the book to earn a perfect rating.
