I think I think too much. For example: today I was at a festival in my small town I live in. I played electric guitar for the concert, drank a slushy, bought some cool earrings... yup, that was my adventuresome Saturday. When it was all done, pictures taken and guitar packed up, I hopped into my jeep and it hit me. A question I haven't been able to shake all night. Is this me? A typical American girl. Doesn't seem that it was only two weeks ago that I was on the other side of the world living a whole different life. But now I'm here. Playing my music, drinking slushies that I had been craving for years. Is this me? Three weeks ago, I was playing my music in another country. So, am I simply a world traveling musician? There got to be more than that. And what is my purpose for all this? Do I do this in vain? I'm trying to hold on. Trying to be strong. But what if...  

I think I think too much.

Freedom. Do we truly know the definition of freedom? As an American, freedom came easily to me. WIth being a christian in America, I have no fear. So, does freedom simply mean I can do what I want? I can buy the latest cars and iPods. I can endure a church service once a week. I can get a job that pays well and not have to wonder if my boss will kill me instead of firing me. I can walk outside and smile, for I have a reason to be happy. Is this freedom? Having a choice in who I date and who I trust, is that freedom? Buying a ribbon that says, "Support our Troops" does that keep our freedom?
Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again." In America, we take freedom for granted. Soldiers give up the comfort of their home to fight for "freedom", but what good is it if we don't even know what it is? How can we truly appreciate freedom without knowing how much of a difference it makes in our lives?
Also, is freedom only being able to worship God or to be able buy what we choose? Date whom we want? Listen to the music we like? What about our souls? John 8:31-36 "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered him, 'We are Abraham's descendants and have never been a slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, ' I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' "
We can fight for freedom and support and help in any way we can, but ultimately only God can give us freedom. We have to be willing and understanding to work for and towards it to keep it.