freedom isn't free

isn't that an awkward phrase? i'm sure it's part of some country song, and that's how it worked its way into the collective conservative consciousness. I mean, i suppose it's catchy on the one hand... but it's so vague!
i believe the intent is to say: the political/capitalist freedoms we have aren't free of cost... rather, men and women daily pay with their lives for us to continue to practice our chosen political and economical freedoms here in the United States.
i can certainly agree with this.

however...

I've been thinking about this phrase from a completely different angle for a few days - 'freedom' is DEFINITELY not 'free,' particularly in the sense of the word 'freeing.' I do not feel very free when i pause to consider the full ramifications of such a powerful word. Although I am 'free' to vote for whom i should choose, and free to shop until i'm firmly entrenched in debt, and free to cash paychecks as a minister of the Gospel, and i'm free to wear my cross necklace and pray before meals in public... i feel bound by so many other things. I feel enslaved to things much other than Christ.
I am bound to my car payment, my insurance payments, my video game addiction, my comic books... all of these are consequences of capitalist economy... so in a way, our 'freedom' has led to my 'enslavement' to very non-spiritual things. So, economic and political freedoms are not freeing.

When Jesus talks of 'freedom,' He is not speaking of economic freedom to be able to buy and sell what makes us happy; nor is He talking about political freedom where we can vote if we want, we can worship where we want when we want, we can debate tough moral issues without punishment... that's not part of Jesus' message. Rather, He promises us that we will be persecuted, if i remember correctly...
The freedom that Jesus brings is a freedom from self, selfishness, self-centeredness... Jesus was focused on the 'Other,' and taught that in the other, we find our self. For instance, if we lose our life, we will gain it, or when we 'go the extra mile' or become the servant of all... we are focusing on the other, but realizing our true self. This is not compatible with Western notions of freedom.
The freedom that Jesus brings is pictured when the rich young ruler comes to Jesus, he is told to SELL all of his stuff and give it to the poor, and THEN he will be ready to follow Jesus. I don't think i've heard that passionately preached in an american church... that kind of freedom is just too costly! i've heard that passage read, and that story told, but i don't think i've ever heard those principles taught with passion and clear articulation. if they have, it just hasn't sunk into me for some reason... perhaps because the things i 'own' have desensitized me to their lack of spiritual value.

when will i realize that all i am and all i have is all a gift from God?
(don't let the fact that i just ripped off a Chris Tomlin lyric distract from the truth of the statement)

of course, i'm not advocating vows of poverty... i believe there is a way to be a spiritually-minded, American, Christian... i just don't think i am 'free,' and i certainly don't know as many people who are free through Jesus as i do who are politically/economically free.

and i'm talking about 'Christians'