The Apostle Simon Peter followed Jesus during His personal ministry. It is not surprising that some of the illustrations he uses come from this experience. In 1 Peter 1:13 the apostle wrote,
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13 NKJ).
The Louw-Nida Lexicon says that the Greek phrase used in 1 Peter 1:13 is “(an idiom, literally ‘to bind up the loins of the mind’) to prepare oneself for learning and thinking – ‘to get one’s mind ready for action, to be ready to learn and to think, to be alert.” The Greek phrase is translated this way: ‘so then, have your minds ready for action.1 Peter 1:13.” (27:55)
In The IVP Bible Background Commentary, Craig Keener writes,
Men wore long robes and would tuck them into their belt, “gird up their loins,” so they could move more freely and quickly. Although the image also occurs elsewhere in the Old Testament, here Peter may specifically allude to the Passover (Exodus 12:11): once God’s people had been redeemed by the blood of the lamb (1 Peter 1:19), they were to be ready to follow God forth until he had brought them safely into their inheritance (cf. 1:4), the Promised Land.”
Even though I have never worn a long, flowing robe I could illustrate this over and over from my years of travel in Israel. Take a look at this photo made at Horbat Adumim in upper Galilee.
Horbat Adumim is a national park in Israel, the site of an the ruins of an ancient synagogue. My frequent traveling companion on private study tours is Leon Mauldin. Leon is seen here seated at the entrance to the old synagogue.
I have used this text from 1 Peter various times in discussing the need to avoid those things that hinder us in service to God. Gird up the loins of your mind.
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
Thank you for this insightful reflection on 1 Peter 1:13 and the metaphor of “girding up the loins of your mind.” Your explanation of the ancient practice of tucking robes into belts to prepare for action brings clarity to Peter’s exhortation to be spiritually prepared and alert. The connection you draw to the Passover and the journey to the Promised Land enriches our understanding of Peter’s message, emphasizing readiness and focus in our faith journey.
The personal touch you add with your experiences in Israel, such as at Horbat Adumim, provides a vivid illustration of the challenges and preparations involved in spiritual readiness. For those seeking further exploration of biblical metaphors and their practical applications, platforms like YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIUMnKlX_Vx8Rw9lAThtpg can offer valuable insights into biblical themes.
Thank you for the photos as well as the commentary ! I just blogged on this exact verse and saw yours after I posted mine. I’ve been to Isreal, mid ‘80’s, before the Iran, Afghan and now Gaza wars. But it was still very dangerous and caution was needed as my business took me into territory reclaimed in 1967. Your Bible thoughts and pics are most welcome!