Symbolic interaction and social construction explain how cultures use signs and symbols to control behavior and understand it (Baran, 2024, p. 310). This process can be seen in the product packaging in supermarkets for many products like Nature’s Path Instant Oatmeal or Annie’s Mac and Cheese. On the back of these boxes is a narrative story that shares the mission of the company or a personal experience.
This form of packaging has taken over grocery store aisles and might best be described as “commercial storytelling” (Singer, 2024). This process first uses descriptive and categorical words that group people together, such as local or foreign, or us and them (Singer, 2024). These tactics allow people to find something to identify with, adding to the culture of a demographic and pressuring them to buy when presented with the logo.
The Lord uniquely created each person to have their own taste and have a desire to belong. Psalm 100:3 says, “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (New American Standard Bible, 1971/1995). He made each person individually, and we belong to Him. While we might belong in other ways through our family, political parties, where we shop or geographic location, God’s creation truly belongs to Himself.